Pas candidate accepts defeat to BN

The PAS candidate in the Kuala Besut state seat by-election today, Endot@Azlan Yusof, accepted his defeat to Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman.

"I accept the defeat, and a defeat is normal in any contest. But if we have won, it would be extraordinary," said Azlan, 48, who is also known as Che Long, at a press conference at the PAS by-election base in Kampung Baharu, here.

Azlan, a contractor, described the Kuala Besut by-election as peaceful and he was satisfied with the 12 days of campaigning since July 12.

The PAS candidate, however, was not present when the by-election result was announced by the returning officer, A Rahim Jusoh, at the Besut District Council hall in Jerteh, near here, tonight.

He gave the excuse that he could not make it as he was busy but declined to elaborate.

Azlan lost to BN's Tengku Zaihan, 37, by 2,592 votes after obtaining 5,696 votes compared to 8,288 garnered by his opponent.

Meanwhile, PAS admitted that BN's "Gelombang Biru" (Blue Wave) strategy was stronger and more effective than their "16-16 Terengganu Baru" (16-16 New Terengganu) and that BN made an offer that the voters in Kuala Besut could not reject.

Besut PAS chief Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad said the people of Kuala Besut placed more importance on development that was drummed up by BN.