Wan Azizah: Contesting or not?

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar denies reports that party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will not contest.

PETALING JAYA: The possibility of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim contesting a state seat in the 13th general election “remains” open until nomination day, said her daughter Nurul Izzah.

“The possibility remains until the announcement date,” Nurul told FMT in a text message.

Nurul’s comment contradicts her father, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Wednesday that Wan Azizah would not contest.

Anwar had told Al Jazeera during a live interview that Wan Azizah “leads the party but decided not to contest in the election”.

Earlier today, Nurul dismissed Anwar’s statement describing it as mere “political talk” even though the announcement was reported by the PKR media organ KeadilanDaily.com.

In the Bernama report, Nurul said KeadilanDaily.com had merely quoted a statement released by the central PKR election department.

“An official announcement would be made by Anwar next Wednesday. He definitely knows about the candidates’ preparations,” she said.

Speculations about Wan Azizah contesting in this general election arose last week.

Malay daily Sinar Harian reported Azizah’s intention to contest for a state seat in Selangor which was unnamed since Azizah had not finalised on where to contest.

“Yes, I will contest for a seat in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly but we need to discuss on a suitable seat. That would make it easier for me to conduct an election campaign and focus on the area,” she told Sinar Harian.

Subsequently, Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei, who is also Seri Muda state assemblyman, offered Azizah four state seats to choose from the 17 that PKR currently controls.

The four state seats are Seri Muda, Kota Anggerik, Seri Setia and Sementa in Kapar.

Her intention to contest also created speculations that current Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who is also vying for the menteri besar seat, would have to give way for Azizah to be the next menteri besar, if she won.

Media speculations

Meanwhile, the PKR grassroots leaders in Selangor have welcomed Azizah’s decision to contest in Selangor.

Wan Azizah was the Permatang Pauh MP from 1999 to July 2008. She contested in Permatang Pauh after Anwar was disqualified from holding on to his MP position when he was imprisoned.

In July 2008, she stepped down to allow Anwar’s comeback into active politics.

Her decision to step down resulted in her being disqualified to contest for a parliamentary seat until July this year.

Responding to another question, Nurul also brushed off talks of Anwar moving to Perak to contest a parliamentary seat as mere “media speculations”.

“I think he did not mention that he is ready to contest in Perak. It is merely media speculations and I have myself received memorandum from Permatang Pauh residents requesting him to remain there,” she said.

She added that there was a sentimental factor for Anwar in Permatang Pauh.

“There is a very unique sentimental dimension in Permatang Pauh. My mother Wan Azizah maintained the seat for three terms and served there. The people’s request for him to remain there should be taken into consideration,” she said.

Anwar returned to become Permatang Pauh MP after winning a by-election held on Aug 26, 2008 that came about when Wan Azizah vacated the seat.

Two days ago, the PKR supremo announced that he would be leaving his constituency of Permatang Pauh to contest a seat in Perak.

The move was meant to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat support in Perak and not an act to “ditch” Permatang Pauh voters.

“I will have to go back to Permatang Pauh to appease them [constituents]; there was a very strong protest, but it was not my intention to disrespect the voters there,” Anwar said at a press conference.

“Some have raised concerns, mentioned that they have been with me over these years, even when I was in prison, they were there to support me.”

Last month, Anwar had announced that he may consider contesting in Perak or Selangor.

“Some say I should go to Perak or Selangor but I am thinking of the former. But no decision has been made. I’m still considering it,” he said.