Rizwadi, a former deputy PAS Youth chief who recently joined Bersatu, said Azizi’s actions were personal and did not reflect the stance of the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party.

The retired navy officer also acknowledged concerns among voters about the possibility of defections if a Bersatu candidate was fielded, but expressed confidence that voters would continue to support PN, which is using PAS’s symbol in the Aug 17 by-election.

“The leadership of Kelantan PN and the central committee have given me the mandate as the PN candidate,” he told FMT.

“The one who switched allegiances is Azizi, not Bersatu.”

Gua Musang PAS had hoped that Bersatu would make way for the Islamic party to contest the seat, citing concerns among voters about possible party-switching by elected representatives if a Bersatu candidate was fielded.

The Nenggiri seat was declared vacant by the state assembly speaker following a notice from Bersatu that Azizi had ceased to be a member of the party.

Azizi won the seat in 2018, defeating PAS’s Sidek Saupi Abd Razak with a 461-vote majority, while Pakatan Harapan’s Othman Yusoff trailed far behind with just 788 votes.

Azizi continued backing the PAS-led Kelantan government despite pledging support for the federal government last year.