SG KANDIS POLLS | PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said party members should look into the interest of Malay and Islam when considering the available choices in the Sungai Kandis by-election.

This was in light of PAS not contesting in the by-election, paving to a three-way fight between PKR, Umno and an independent candidate.

"PAS members in Sungai Kandis are instructed to choose based on the interest of Islam/Malays as well as the country's future, by considering PAS attitude towards the new Pakatan Harapan government that remains the same as it was prior to the 14th general election," he said in a statement today.

PAS has had an icy relationship with Harapan since before the latter won federal power. The party was seen to be closer to Umno than Harapan in the lead up to the May 9 general election.

Takiyuddin also stressed that a check-and-balance is required in Selangor.

"In other words, the role of the opposition is very important," he said.

Harapan won a landslide victory in Selangor, winning 51 out of 56 seats. PAS was nearly wiped out, seeing its seats reduced from 13 to one. BN seats were reduced from 11 to four.

PKR, which represents Harapan, is contesting under its own banner while Umno is contesting under BN's banner.

On a related matter, Takiyuddin said the reason PAS chose to stay out of the Sungai Kandis by-election was pending a post-mortem report on the 14th general election results.

He said the same position applies with the upcoming Balakong by-election.