PAS has managed to cling on to Kelantan with a simple majority by winning its 23rd out of the 45 state seats following a tensed recount today. This was confirmed by the national news agency Bernama, which quoted the Election Commission.

Recounting for four state seats were completed by 2pm, and previous unofficial tally indicate PAS has won three of the seats - Kota Lama by 54 votes, Gaal (44 votes) and Pulai Chondong (104) - while BN/Umno retaining Manek Urai with a 53-vote majority.

Both PAS and Umno began the day with 20 confirmed seats in Kelantan.

The recount in the state - involving the Machang parliamentary and nine state seats - have raised the temperature by several notches.

Party insiders said the recounting, which started at 10am, is still going in the remaining seats. The state Election Commission declined any comments, except to say that an announcement would only be made once all seats have been recounted.

The nine state constituencies are Pulai Chondong, Temangan, Kemuning, Kota Lama, Pengkalan Pasir, Melor, Selising, Gaal and Manek Urai.

Tense atmosphere

Observers at the party headquarters in Kota Baru told malaysiakini earlier today that the situation on the ground was very tense, with supporters from both sides trying hard to remain cool.

A party insider said: "An EC officer told us that he is 'awaiting instructions from Kuala Lumpur' before announcing the results."

"About 300 people are now gathered outside the building shouting 'Allahu Akhbar' (God is great).

"They are PAS members, but a few men who are also wearing white skullcaps appear to be provoking the crowd," he claimed.

"The Barisan Nasional supporters are on the other side of town, but anything could happen. Even a small spark could create riots... that's how tense the situation is right now."

Avoiding buy-outs

Sources close to the party said that all PAS candidates in Kelantan are being 'quarantined' at the party headquarters by state and spiritual leader, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, pending the official outcome of the recounts.

"This is to avoid any candidates from being bought over by the BN. I hear the the offer now stands at RM12 million per state assemblyperson, and still rising," said a source.

"The offers are even coming from KL. Our Tok Guru is keeping a watchful eye by asking the candidates to remain in the building," he said.

"Everyone has been asked to remain calm until the EC's official announcement," he added, adding that supporters of both sides are becoming increasingly edgy.