Terengganu polls and GE16 are separate matters, Tuan Ibrahim tells Puad

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has clarified that the upcoming Terengganu state election and the 16th general election (GE16) are separate issues, in response to former Umno leader Puad Zarkashi's comments. Tuan Ibrahim stated that his support for earlier GE16 does not imply agreement with Puad's proposal to hold the Terengganu election ahead of the national polls.

He emphasized that a general election is distinct from a state election and pointed out that Puad had previously questioned his stance on bringing forward GE16 while rejecting the dissolution of the Terengganu state assembly earlier. Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan had earlier urged the PAS-led Terengganu government to dissolve the state assembly and hold a snap election to demonstrate the Islamic party's commitment to Malay unity.

However, Tuan Ibrahim dismissed Mohamad's call, arguing that it would impose additional burdens and expenses on voters. In the August 2023 Terengganu election, Umno did not secure any of the 32 state seats it contested, and lost all eight parliamentary seats in the state during the 2022 general election.