Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno leaders are being blatantly arrogant by calling for the Kelantan state assembly to be dissolved if they win the Pengkalan Pasir by-election, said PAS vice-president Husam Musa.

He also warned that such haughtiness could backfire.

"We are certainly not pressured by the calls to dissolve the state assembly. But if they are not careful, it may just backfire," he told malaysiakini.

"Arrogance is an absolute no-no to Kelantan voters. You haven't won and you're already talking about a snap election. For all we know their candidate may get disqualified on nomination day.

"Who knows? This is all in God's hands. Please don't be so arrogant. Let the people decide first," added Husam, who is also Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner.

The Pengkalan Pasir by-election on Dec 6 is being held after PAS incumbent Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Jaafar passed away due to liver cancer on Oct 31.

In the general elections last year, Wan Abdul Aziz defeated the BN candidate, Hanafi Mamat, by a slim majority of 56 votes.

Husam also expressed surprise that Prime Minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had joined the bandwagon in calling for a fresh polls.

"Pak Lah should allow the people to make their choice first before jumping the gun. I am quite surprise that he had made such a statement... it is unusually arrogant of him to do so."

On the same note, he claimed that some in Umno are unhappy with the call.

"Not all are confident that BN and Umno can re-claim the 21 seats they won in the general elections. A lot has happened since then. What makes them think that PAS cannot improve its strength?" he asked.

Following the 2004 general elections, PAS took 24 seats while BN won 21. The near-defeat by PAS, which is the only state under the opposition, had put the Islamic party on the defensive ever since.

Do or die?

Meanwhile, Husam also dismissed the notion played up by the media that the by-election is a 'do or die' situation for PAS.

"If we lose, it would be probably due to the unfair playing field and corrupt and undemocratic election practices by our opponent. So I don't think that such a win should be interpreted as a mandate from the people," he said.

As for Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's statement that it would be PAS' moral duty to call for a fresh elections if it lost Pengakalan Pasir, Husam said the latter should be the last person to talk about this.

"When Najib won his Pekan (in Pahang) seat by a mere 200 votes in the 1999 election, wasn't it his moral duty to resign then as it was obvious that he did not have the people's support. But he did not. So he can't demand us to do what he himself was not ready to do," he added.

Touching on PAS' election campaign, Husam said the situation was not so intense as yet since Umno leaders are too busy lobbying for their preferred candidates.

"Umno has not done much campaigning as they are hampered by the problem in selecting a candidate.

"It seems that they have three camps: one wants division chief Abdul Rahim Abd Rahman, the other wants the previous candidate (deputy division chief) Hanafi Mamat while another wants to bring in young (vice division chief) Che Johan Che Pa," he added.

Likely PAS candidate

Husam, who is widely considered as Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat's right-hand man, said PAS was also having problems with candidates.

"Fortunately for us, we don't have people fighting to be chosen Our short-listed candidates have refused the offer (to contest). They are humble people. I believe with a little advice, the chosen candidate will accept.

"I cannot say anything apart from that the PAS candidate is a local. He is a capable and credible leader... someone who can bring new ideas to the party," he added.

Meanwhile, a party worker who requested anonymity said the candidate is likely to be state economic development corporation chief executive officer and former state executive councillor Hanifa Ahmad.

"The constituency is Hanifa's hometown. He lives there and all his family members are there. He is well-liked and respected by the locals. He is the perfect man to give Umno and BN a run for their money," he said.