Shukri, who is Sanglang assemblyman, failed to unseat incumbent Solahudin Azmi, who won by 128 votes to Shukri’s 43, Sinar Harian reported.

Separately, Ruselee Eizan who is the speaker of the Perak state assembly, failed to defend his seat when he lost to state executive councillor Ridzuan Hashim.

Ridzuan, who is Guar Sanji assemblyman, won 135 votes, while Ruselee only secured 34.

The vice division chief’s post was however retained by its incumbent, Yusairi Mansor with 130 votes, while his challenger, executive councillor Razali Saad won 39 votes.

Divisional chief Solahudin was later quoted as saying that the defeat of several state leaders should not be perceived as a sign of rejection. “Rather it’s a norm in PAS. The fact that there was competition in this election proves that PAS practises genuine grassroots democracy,” he said, according to the New Straits Times.