In a statement, PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the appointments of these division chiefs – nine from PAS and four from Bersatu – would strengthen the coalition’s election machinery in Kelantan ahead of the next general election (GE15).

Of the PAS leaders, the most notable are energy and natural resources minister Takiyuddin Hassan, who has been appointed Kota Bharu PN division chief, and Kelantan deputy menteri besar Amar Nik Abdullah who heads the coalition in Pengkalan Chepa.

Meanwhile, Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman has been named the Kuala Krai PN division chief, while three state executive councillors, Saripudin Tuan Ismail, Dafdzli Hassan and Hanifa Ahmad, are heading the Pasir Puteh, Machang and Pasir Mas divisions, respectively.

PAS assemblymen Hassan Mohamood (Tawang) and Abdul Rahman Yunus (Pasir Tumboh) were appointed division chiefs for Bachok and Kubang Kerian, respectively. Finally, Abdul Fatah Harun, who is Rantau Panjang PAS division chief, will take on the same role under PN.

Several ministers and deputy ministers from Bersatu were also appointed as division chiefs. Among them are education minister Radzi Jidin (Ketereh), economic affairs minister Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli) and deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah).

Gua Musang Bersatu division chief Azizi Abu Naim completes the line-up taking on the same role for PN in the constituency.

The announcement on the division chiefs follows the launch of the coalition’s state-level machinery in Kelantan by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

In the event, which was also attended by Kelantan PN chairman and Kelantan menteri besar Ahmad Yakob, Muhyiddin said that PAS will use the coalition’s logo in GE15.

He added that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had agreed to the use of the PN logo by its candidates.