‘No need to test us’: PAS rules out early Terengganu polls

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has ruled out holding early state elections in Terengganu. The deputy president stated that elections are not a tool for assessing political cooperation or measuring sincerity. Tuan Ibrahim emphasized that as long as no urgent need exists, people should not be burdened with the political pressure and costs associated with a state election.

He expressed this view in response to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan's proposal for an election in Terengganu as proof of the Islamic party's commitment to Malay unity. Tuan Ibrahim clarified that state elections should only be held when the current term has ended or there is a compelling reason to do so. Instead, he suggested dissolving Parliament and seeking a fresh national mandate.

Umno and PAS had formed an electoral pact for the recent Negeri Sembilan state election, where PAS won 27 of the 27 contested seats, while PN secured all 32 seats in Terengganu, marking a significant victory for the Perikatan Nasional coalition. However, this arrangement appeared to be on the verge of collapse after PN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamdi stated that the coalition intended to contest all 21 seats won by Barisan Nasional in 2021, while PN argued that negotiations were still ongoing.

Melaka has 28 state seats, and Pakatan Harapan had previously won five out of the 21 contested seats, while PN claimed victory in two.