Kuala Besut by-election: No surprises

BESUT: Barisan Nasional's win in the Kuala Besut by-election was an expected one.

After all, it came barely three months after Barisan registered a 2,434-vote majority win in the May 5 general elections.

The parliamentary constituency of Besut is an Umno bastion and since 2004, they have won all four state constituencies- Hulu Besut, Kota Putera, Jertih and Kuala Besut.

Currently this is the only constituency in the state with no opposition representation.

This is attributed to the influence of former Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Currently the Besut MP and Education Minister (II), Idris is still popular in this part of the state.

Voter turnout for this election was 14,108 people, or 79.8%, which is still high.

According to the Election Commission, Barisan polled 8,288 votes, Pakatan polled 5,696 votes and there were 195 spoilt votes.

Barisan has managed to increase their majority to 2,592 votes compared to the 2,434 vote majority in the May 5 general elections.

This is an increase of 158 votes, although voter turnout was 7% less compared to the general elections.

For its part, the ruling coalition has pledged to improve the livelihood of the constituents.

They include a RM250mil pledge to deepen the Besut river estuary for the fishing and tourism industries.

The government also approved a RM35mil project to upgrade and fix the non-functioning Lowvier Dam in Kampung Nangka.

Besides that,the government has held a lot of meet and greet sessions with the voters.

It was said that at least 15 government agencies visited Pulau Perhentian alone.

Besides that, the voters here were uncertain what would happen if PAS won the seat and there were equal numbers of Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat members in the assembly.

Many were scared that they would be affected as no legislations would be passed if there was no clear government in charge.

Many also feel that there would be a state wide re-election if Pas won, a situation they wanted to avoid.

Perhaps the party is paying for its stewardship of Terengganu from 1999 to 2004 under Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, a reign which didn't leave the people wanting more.