PAS supporters stopped three buses which they suspected were ferrying 'phantom voters' for the Pengkalan Pasir by-election today.

According to PAS vice-president Husam Musa, the three buses were stopped at different locations in the state constituency between 11pm yesterday and 3am today.

In the first incident in Kubang Bemban, he said supporters spotted a bus from Kedah ferrying about 30 people to a rented house in the area.

"When they (the supporters) approached four of them, the supporters were told that they (the group) had come to vote," he said.

"As they were talking, the four suddenly dashed into a car and fled. Of course, the locals became suspicious and made sure that the rest did not 'escape'."

Husam said news of the incident spread and many more locals in the area came to "guard the house". Following a discussion, the group agreed to be taken to a nearby police station.

The situation became tense at the Pasir Mas police station when some 1,000 people gathered around outside the compound, he added.

'Highly suspicious'

Husam said the other incidents in Banggol Chica and Kampung Dangar respectively involved about 60 people, who were escorted to the Kota Bharu police headquarters.

It is learnt that Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein and Kelantan exco Takiyuddin Hassan later went to the police headquarters over this incident.

Husam claimed that the 60 were then "escorted quietly" out of the police station in private cars.

"The whole incident is highly suspicious. We need to be careful so that we are not denied a victory through illegal means," he said.

The police are expected to hold a press conference on the incidents later today.
Husam also denied that PAS had taken the law into its own hands by detaining suspicious voters.

"We know that we have no power to investigate these people. But we have to be careful of phantom voters. Which is why we escorted them to the police for further action," he said.

Phantom voters are people who are brought in from outside to vote on behalf of existing voters or those who have died but remained in the electoral rolls.

Kelantan police chief Zulkifli Abdullah confirmed the incident and said that investigations are being carried out.