PAS No 2 plays down need for Melaka poster boy

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has downplayed the importance of selecting a poster boy for the upcoming Melaka state election. According to Tuan Ibrahim, the decision would be made jointly with the party's election partners and is not a top priority at the moment.

The chief minister for the winning party, as per Tuan Ibrahim, should come from the party that secures the most seats. He emphasized that PAS is focused on obtaining the people's mandate. Tuan Ibrahim noted that discussions about a poster boy can sometimes become a point of contention, with leaders being chosen based on ability and suitability rather than popularity.

He cited examples of Terengganu and Kedah, where the chief ministers, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Sanusi Nor, were not well-known prior to their appointments. Tuan Ibrahim stressed that leaders should be selected based on their individual merits and fit, not solely on popularity.

When questioned about the possibility of accepting a poster boy from another party, Tuan Ibrahim stated that the matter would be discussed with the parties involved through joint decision-making. For now, PAS's primary focus is on its manifesto, not the poster boy issue.

The Election Commission has set November 14 as the polling day, with nominations due on October 31 and early voting on November 10. There are 28 seats up for grabs in the Melaka state assembly. In the 2021 election, Barisan Nasional won 21 seats, Pakatan Harapan took five, and Perikatan Nasional secured two.