GE15: Nurul Izzah suffers shock loss as PAS takes Permatang Pauh

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Permatang Pauh has returned to PAS after a 40-year legacy involving Anwar Ibrahim.

Perikatan Nasional candidate Muhammad Fawwaz Muhammad Jan won the seat with a 5,272-vote majority over Pakatan Harapan's Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is Anwar's daughter.

Fawwaz polled 37,638 votes against Nurul Izzah's 32,366.

"I'm grateful for the support of the people to be given the mandate.

"Let me perform and in the next five years we shall reunite the people in Permatang Pauh," he said after being announced the winner.

The votes were tabulated at the National Youth Higher Skills Institute (IKTBN) in Berapit.

Other candidates were Barisan Nasional's Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd (16,971 votes) and Pejuang's Nasir Othman (473).

Fawwaz, 39, had previously contested for the Penanti state seat in GE14.

He is currently chief executive officer of Yayasan Darul Hadis Al Filfilaniyyah as well as a religious preacher, and is married with 11 children,

Fawwaz is also present Penang state and Permatang Pauh division PAS Youth chief.

Anwar first won the parliamentary seat from PAS in 1982 under a Barisan ticket and the family has held onto the seat for 36 years, alternating between him and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail under PKR.

In 2018, Nurul Izzah vacated her Lembah Permai seat and contested in Permatang Pauh and won it.

PAS' Zabidi Ali last won the seat in 1978.

Also present were Penang PAS commissioner Fauzi Mohd Yusof and some 50 party members.

Meanwhile, Perikatan supporters swarmed the streets of Penanti town to celebrate, waving flags and convoying in vehicles adorned with the party's flag