In defeat, underdog PAS has reason to cheer

In defeat, underdog PAS has reason to cheer KUCHING, Apr 16: Despite losing all five seats in the just concluded state elections, there has been a major shift of support judging by the number of votes gained by PAS candidates. In Beting Maro, where its candidate had the closest chance of delivering PAS's first seat from Sarawak, Abang Ahmad Kerdee was defeated by 391 votes, more than halving BN's majority of 895 in 2006. In Tanjong Datu, PAS's Nani Sahari managed to gain more than 900 more votes, thereby not losing her deposit, as was the case in 2006 when both opposition candidates then lost their deposits after being defeated by Adenan Satem from BN-PBB. At press time, it has become apparent that Pakatan Rakyat has failed to deny BN its traditional two-third majority. Yet, in defeat, an obvious achievement is its increased number of seats in the state assembly. Meanwhile, in his first reaction to the incoming results, PAS youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi put up a positive front, saying the Islamic party would continue its struggle in the state. “Although PAS lost in all seats it contested, PAS Youth will continue with our struggle in Sarawak,” he posted on Twitter.