PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is expected to contest the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat in the by-election next month, Berita Harian reported.

In last year’s general election, PAS named Ahmad Amzad Hashim to contest the seat but his victory was later annulled by the Election Court after the petitioner successfully proved that there was an element of corruption during campaigning.

In that election, Amzad successfully defended the Kuala Terengganu seat he won in the 2018 polls with a majority of 40,907 votes.

In the four-cornered contest, Amzad obtained 63,026 votes, defeating Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Zuber Embong (22,109), Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad of Pakatan Harapan (10,946) and Pejuang candidate Mohamad Abu Bakar (481).

Rumour has it that Samsuri, who is also caretaker Terengganu menteri besar, is the main candidate for the central PAS leadership, who will be given the mandate to contest the Kuala Terengganu seat in the by-election.

Samsuri is also nominated to defend the Rhu Rendang state seat in the state elections.

It is understood that also listed as a candidate for the Kuala Terengganu seat is Muafakat Nasional chairman Annuar Musa.

The names of Samsuri, Amzad and Annuar have been sent to the PAS Supreme Council for discussion before a decision is made.

Amzad was previously reported to be ready to defend the seat if he was named as a candidate.

“If not listed, we will continue to support the candidate selected by the PAS central committee to ensure victory,” he said.

However, Samsuri expressed a different tone on the candidate selection.

He felt it was just speculation.

Samsuri described the speculation circulating on social media as not the same as what was discussed at the PAS central committee meeting.

“We cannot prevent any party from speculating about the candidates on social media,” he said.

“But until now, we have no information about the PAS candidate who will defend the Kuala Terengganu seat.” – July 21, 2023.