KEMAMAN: Pas is hinting that they have bigger plans ahead for Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar who was named as Perikatan Nasional's (PN) candidate for the Kemaman parliamentary seat by-election on Dec 2.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Ahmad Samsuri's excellent record when governing Terengganu can be utilised and contributed towards the country should he win the seat during the polls next month.
"Apart from his excellent record and meeting the criteria (set by party), the Pas vice-president (Ahmad Samsuri) is also a voters' favourite to be the candidate to defend the parliamentary seat.
"People ask why we choose Dr Ahmad Samsuri as our candidate (in Kemaman)....of course we understand that Pas central has a bigger agenda so that is why we brought Dr Ahmad Samsuri to parliament.
"There are bigger things.....if small, then if we put other (candidates), InshaAllah (we) can win but we do not want to just win in Kemaman. We want Dr Ahmad Samsuri- if he successfully contributed to Terengganu, he must contribute to Malaysia," he said in a ceramah at Felda Kerteh 6 here, yesterday.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is the Kubang Kerian member of parliament and Cheka state assemblyman, said the presence of a menteri besar in parliament is important to facilitate all state administration affairs and matters related to the federal government.
"It is already done in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang (state governments) who have made their menteri besar and chief minister as members of parliament.
"It is important that this menteri besar (Ahmad Samsuri) sits in parliament…he will be able to respond to all Terengganu related issues as he has the answers with him, including the needs and planning....he can speak directly in front of the prime minister and ministers," he said.
It was previously reported that Pas had named Ahmad Samsuri, who is fondly known as Dr Sam for Kemaman as a pathway for him to be the future prime minister for PN.
However, Ahmad Samsuri dismissed the claims saying being nominated as the prime minister for PN in the future is normal in politics.
Meanwhile Tuan Ibrahim reminded all outstation voters to return and cast their ballots on polling day next month.
"Each vote is vital to pick the candidate to represent the voices of the people at the federal level. Do not take things easy as returning to vote is not about winning but it is a responsibility," he said.