Why isn’t Anwar contesting in Pekan?

Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman says if Hadi stands against Najib in Pekan, then it will be the end of the PAS leader's political career.

PETALING JAYA: There is a small queue forming to take on Najib Tun Razak in Pekan but the question on everyone’s lips is, why isn’t Anwar Ibrahim in the fray?

Umno’s Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan feels that Anwar as opposition leader should take on Najib, but the safer option is for him to stay in his safe seat in Permatang Pauh.

“Probably Anwar is the best candidate to challenge Najib, but I would not dare him. It is a waste of time,” said Rahman, who suggested a darker plot behind PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s challenge to Najib.

“Anwar wants to kill and humiliate Hadi [politically]. I don’t think Anwar is close to Hadi. He is closer to [PAS spiritual adviser and Kelantan Menteri Besar) Nik Aziz Nik Mat,” said Rahman.

Recently, Hadi expressed his intention to contest in Pekan. Yesterday he reiterated his intent.

Former Kita president Zaid Ibrahim is also interested in facing off with Najib in Pekan

Anwar, who is also PKR’s de facto leader, meanwhile challenged Najib to contest in Marang which is Hadi’s seat.

Anwar will play it safe
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mashitah Ibrahim brushed off the idea of a Anwar-Najib contest in Pekan .

“He knows Pekan is an Umno stronghold and he wants to play it safe. That’s why he got his wife to step down in Permatang Pauh and he took over the seat,” said Mashitah.

All three constituencies – Pekan, Pematang Pauh and Marang – have a sizeable Malay majority voting bloc.

Pekan has been Najib’s stronghold since 1986. In 2008, he defeated Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin of PKR with a majority of 26,464 votes. Najib polled 36,262 votes against Khairul’s 9,798 votes.

Of the 58,217 voters in 2008, there were 93% Malay voters, three percent Chinese voters and others made up the balance.

The Marang seat is held by Hadi. In 2008, he beat Ahmad Ramzi Mohamad Zubir of Umno with a majority of 2,747 votes. Hadi polled 33,435 votes against Ahmad’s 30,688 votes.

In 2008, there were a total of 85,906 voters of which 98% are Malays and balance two percent were Chinese.

Anwar has been representing Permatang Pauh since 1982. After he was imprisoned, his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim held the seat in 2004 until 2008.

Wan Azizah then quit her MP position to pave the way for Anwar. In a three cornered by-election, Anwar beat Ariff Shah Omar Shah with a majority of 15,671 votes.

Anwar polled 31,195 votes against Ariff’s 15,524 votes. Hanafi Mamat of Akim lost his deposit after receiving 92 votes.

Of the 58,490 voters in 2008, Malays make up 70% of the voters and the Chinese constitute 24%. The balance – six percent – are Indians.