Dismissing claims that Barisan Nasional’s heavy defeat in Kemaman was a referendum against Putrajaya, Fahmi said the unity government is “not worried”.

“I think PAS is gunning for the opposition leader role,” he told reporters at an event here today.

“So I think the ones who should be concerned right now are Bersatu, because it’s quite clear that PAS may push for or request for the position of opposition leader in the future.”

The communications and digital minister said the five Bersatu MPs declaring support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should be just as concerning for Muhyiddin Yassin’s party, as it signalled potential discord within Bersatu..

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s landslide victory in the Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Saturday proved that there was growing support for Perikatan Nasional.

He said the BN-Pakatan Harpan coalition not only failed to woo new voters but also lost the support it once enjoyed.

Fahmi argued that BN’s defeat was not surprising since it is a PN stronghold, though PAS had only won the parliamentary seat for the first time in 2018.

“What about Pelangai then? The unity government won in Pelangai. (So) that’s a referendum on who?” he said.

In the by-election for the Pelangai state seat in Pahang on Oct 7, BN emerged victorious as its candidate, Amizar Abu Adam, secured 7,324 votes over PN’s Kasim Samat, from PAS, who received 4,375 votes.

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