PETALING JAYA: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has congratulated Barisan Nasional's Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's on his victory in the Rantau by-election, saying the people have rejected Pakatan Harapan's politics of blame.

"Pakatan Harapan's loss is a signal of rejection from the people after their failure to fulfill promises, as well as the people rejecting populist politics and the 'Pak Pandir' (syndrome) that only knows how to blame others.  

"This victory shows a positive step in the agenda of strengthening the bonds and consensus among the opposition parties, NGOs and influential figures," he said in a statement on Saturday (April 13).

Abdul Hadi also thanked PAS members and supporters in Rantau who helped to campaign, as well as those who came back to vote. 

Mohamad Hasan won with 10,397 votes – obtaining a majority of 4,510 votes.

According to the Election Commission, voter turnout stood at 79.3%, surpassing its target of 70%.

The Rantau polls is the seventh by-election post-GE14, and the third to be held in 2019 after Cameron Highlands and Semenyih.