"Just let PAS contest Sungai Besar, Kuala Kangsar by-elections," says Mat Taib

He said the situation would not work to their benefit if PAS, Amanah and PKR each places their own candidate to contest in the two seats.

“In the end, all of us will lose to the Barisan Nasional,” he said in a press statement.

Citing his victory as a BN candidate in the 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1996 general elections, Muhammad said the coalition won easily because the Opposition were busy bickering among themselves.

“At that time, PAS, DAP, Parti Rakyat, Gerakan and PP were busy fighting among themselves and claiming each to be stronger than the other. This led to BN winning comfortably,” he said.

READ: PAS' decision to contest is final, should not be disputed

He was confident that the Opposition can win in the two by-elections if they can decide on one candidate and fully support the person.

He said by agreeing on one single candidate, it will send out the signal that the Opposition has matured and serious in bringing changes to the country.

“But if we continue to fight among ourselves, people will see us as a failure. Even among ourselves, we cannot agree on a matter,” he said.

He said the year 2008 was good for the Opposition who began to win more parliament seats and state seats in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan, leading to the formation of Pakatan Rakyat.

He said in 2013, the Opposition also fared well, however cracks began to appear after that within the allies.

He said the Opposition’s failure to agree on seats and candidates had also led to their dismal performance in the recently held Sarawak state elections.

Muhammad said since PAS has announced that it wants to contest in the two seats, Pakatan Harapan should support the Islamic party’s decision and throw full support behind the candidate.

“We have to move with a well-planned strategy to ensure victory,” he added.

PAS yesterday said it will name its candidates for the Kuala Kangsar, Perak and Sungai Besar, Selangor by-elections on May 27.

The announcement will be made at the respective parliamentary constituencies, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said.

The two seats fell vacant following the death of their incumbents Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad and Datuk Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.

The Election Commission (EC) has set June 5 as nomination date while early voting is set on June 14.