Kuala Terengganu by-election slides into battle of state election

While PAS is risking Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim as its candidate again, Barisan Nasional (BN) has chosen not to 'recycle' Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong, preferring instead to nominate former Indera Mahkota MP, Azan Ismail of PKR.

Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election Returning Officer Datuk Anuar Awang announced this morning that only two individuals will be contesting for the parliamentary seat, namely Azan and Ahmad Amzad.

"I am pleased to confirm that no candidate has had their nomination papers rejected," he said at the nomination centre at the Kuala Terengganu City Council, here today.

The by-election is being held following the Terengganu Election Court's June 27 annulment of former Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Ahmad Amzad's victory in the 15th General Election (GE15), after elements of corruption during the campaign period were found.

On Jan 3, Terengganu UMNO filed a petition at the High Court to annul the result of the seat under the Election Offences Act 1954.

"It would be good for me to focus on what I want to do if I am entrusted again, I need to move forward," said Ahmad Amzad when met after the nomination.

Meanwhile, although Azan does not have high hopes, he wishes to obtain a simple majority to seize the parliamentary seat.

"The majority was quite large, but the Terengganu voters have a history of being the most elitist and of having very different evaluations in elections.

"God willing, we will try our best and we do have some confidence of achieving the minimum majority to win... no big numbers, but just enough to win," he said.

The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat covers the state constituencies of Wakaf Mempelam, Bandar, Ladang and Batu Buruk with 123,575 registered voters and 44 polling stations with 222 streams.