PAS has named Abdul Wahid Endut, the state assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam, as the Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.

Wahid, a popular but low-profile ‘local’ considered a rank outsider in comparison to his better-known colleagues, was chosen over Batu Burok assemblyman Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi and PAS state deputy commissioner Wan Mutalib Embong.

His selection was announced by party president Abdul Hadi Awang, in a move that has been closely awaited by the press and political pundits.

The news may surprise some, but Hadi has been extremely careful to play his cards close to his chest.

Fighting against a slew of election goodies

Pundits say the choice of candidate and party strategy is paramount in this crucial contest, where arch enemy Umno has thrown out a slew of election goodies and lures worth billions of ringgit in a bid to win favour with the KT voters.

“We have gone through a rigorous selection process and we are confident that our candidate met all the qualities that the people wanted,” Hadi told a large crowd at the State Stadium late tonight.

He added that the party’s revered spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat had also endorsed Wahid’s selection..

“It was very difficult to choose the PAS candidate because all the names forwarded were good – no corruption, no money politics and no political abuse. Our candidate has the experience as a people’s representative; has never lost in the past five general elections,” Hadi said.