If Umno were to win the by-election in Manek Urai, it would mean the party had gotten a new lease of life from the Malay voters, he said. "But how can they win when they don’t understand the reality.”

“It does not help that Umno keeps bringing up issues that are against the religion. Tok Pa (Datuk Mustapha Mohamad, BN’s election director for Manek Urai) does not have the standing to make religious statements, unlike Tok Guru (Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat),” said Wan Rahim.

Commenting on the PAS’ candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah’s educational background, Wan Rahim said the late Ismail Yaacob was also not well educated but gave good service to the people. “Pak Su Weh (Ismail Yaacob) is the benchmark,” he said, adding that Ismail had defeated BN’s assemblyman Datuk Wan Zaid Wan Abdullah.

“The people here need a representative that they can meet and solve their problems. The biggest issue here are land matters. They want someone who can solve the land deposit and premium issues and meet with the district officer. Pak Su Weh was the middle person between the people and Land Office,” he added.

Commenting on party president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang's comment that PAS was open to talks with Umno on certain issues, Wan Rahim said it was possible after the by-election.

Umno has also earned the wrath of fish wholesalers in Kelantan for persisting in referring to Mohd Fauzi as a "peraih ikan" ("fish seller"). Mohd Fauzi is a fish wholesaler in Pasar Besar Kuala Krai.

Kelantan Fish Wholesalers Association members intend to gather in force at Laloh market on Friday to protest against people who try to put down their profession.