KOTA BARU, Aug 13 — The new Menteri Besar of Kelantan needs to have integrity and establish good relations with the federal government for the well-being of the people in the state.

Dean of the Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof Dr Rusdi Omar said it is important for the state and federal government to have good ties to ensure Kelantan does not lag behind economically and in terms of development.

He said it will also help in solving problems facing the people in the state, such as the water issue.

"The Kelantan Menteri Besar also needs to be people-friendly, in addition to being professional and not to overreact at issues raised by the people.

"For the next five years, the people will be watching and evaluating the style of leadership and changes made, whether it (situation in the state) is still at the old notch or being administered better,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Meanwhile, a political science lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said the selection of the new Menteri Besar must be someone who can unite the people of Kelantan.

"The new leadership in Kelantan needs to be led by those who look after the interests and welfare of all the people, regardless of their political affiliations,” he added.

Yesterday, Kelantan Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who has been Kelantan Menteri Besar for two terms since 2013, said he was stepping down from the post due to health factors.

He also announced that the new Kelantan Menteri Besar is expected to be sworn in this Tuesday.

The PAS-Bersatu alliance won big in Kelantan after sweeping 43 of the 45 seats at stake in the state election yesterday.

According to the full results published on the Election Commission (EC) website, PAS secured wins in 38 of the 39 state constituencies it contested, while alliance partner Bersatu won in five of the six seats it had fielded candidates.

Barisan Nasional (BN) fielded candidates in 31 seats in Kelantan but only managed one win, in Galas, through incumbent candidate Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim.

PH, however, pulled off an upset after the coalition wrested the Kota Lama seat by defeating the PAS incumbent candidate and two more Independents.

In the 14th general election (GE14), PAS formed the Kelantan government after winning 37 of the 45 seats at stake.

Last Friday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan was reported to have said that the PAS-Kelantan government would have a new combination of Menteri Besar and Deputy Menteri Besar after the state election.

He said the new leadership combination would be a religious figure and a technocrat, subject to the mandate of the people and the consent of the Sultan of Kelantan. — Bernama