exclusive Opposition Islamic party PAS is confident of wresting power from Barisan Nasional (BN) in Terengganu in the next general election, said senior party strategist Mustafa Ali.

The party suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2004 general election when it lost control of Terengganu to BN, although it clung on to Kelantan by a single seat.

Election director Mustafa Ali said the confidence was based on " public disillusionment with the government" arising from several issues in the state including the diversion of money from the well being of the people.

"People can see they are not benefitting from the money spent," he told malaysiakini in a phone interview, referring to several projects such as those in Pulau Duyung where the annual Monsoon Cup is held.

Mustafa, 63, the former Dungun member of Parliament, said issues of poverty, housing and corruption in the Terengganu government have not been addressed.

He claimed that the party is gearing up for the next election - which some expect to be called by the end of the year - although top leaders are seldom seen or heard in public these days.

He said his colleagues are going about their business and organising activities, but that these do not get coverage in the government-controlled press. He also said PAS is focusing on consolidating internal resources.

Mustafa conceded, however, that party president Abdul Hadi Awang (photo) has been keeping a low profile with reason.

"He is giving space to his lieutenants - the secretary-general, deputy president and the vice-presidents," explained Mustafa, adding that Hadi is not relinquishing his post.

Similar strategies

Mustafa indicated that there will be no drastic change in terms of the party's election strategy in terms of the seats contested and candidates, who will come from a mix of Young Turks and ulama (religious scholars).

He said the opposition is confident of reducing BN's two-thirds majority.

PAS has yet to embark on seat- allocation negotiations with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), its ally in Barisan Alternatif (BA).

"I think (there) is still a long way to go in that sense. The allocation is based on the status quo. If amendments are needed, we can make these," he said.

Mustafa disagreed that the party has been isolated from such negotiations among opposition parties, after top DAP and PKR leaders were said to have met recently for early election preparations.

"It's our agreement with Anwar (Ibrahim, PKR adviser) that if (it comes to) DAP, he can handle that because DAP doesn't see eye to eye to PAS," Mustafa said.

He brushed aside another question as to whether PAS is a liability to PKR.

"It depends on PKR, we can't force them, it doesn't matter to us... we believe BA is there. Of course if PKR is getting closer to DAP, it should be good because DAP was at quite a distance from PKR last time," he replied tactfully.

Mustafa had previously blamed the loose working relations with PKR within BA as one of the reasons for the opposition coalition's poor performance in the 2004 election, saying the opposition front is "not a real choice" for voters.

Asked about his personal plans, he said he was phasing himself out and would only contest "if it's necessary".

"In terms of activities, I am still 100 percent in politics but in terms of contesting it is different - it is a matter of whether I should be a wakil rakyat or not," he added.

Tomorrow: Why the Islamic state is a 'small issue'

Q&A: PAS 'far from quiet' on political front