Wanted: PKR big gun to lead Johor charge

GE14 | PKR’s leadership has been deliberating on whether to send in a high-profile leader to head the party's 14th general election charge in Johor, but a suitable and willing candidate remains to be found.

Several names had previously been floated to undertake the task, including PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua and Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.

However, no obvious candidate has emerged, which has led to a series of contradictory rumours and denials in the press.

When approached at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, Nurul Izzah downplayed reports quoting PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution as saying that she would be moved to Permatang Pauh instead, dismissing it as mere speculation.

"I am going to Johor tomorrow (today), and I hope there won't be rumours that I am going to contest there too," she joked.

Permatang Pauh and the Anwars

Sources within the PKR central leadership said that Nurul Izzah’s possible candidacy in Johor will depend on whether party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail vacates the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

"If Wan Azizah goes somewhere else like Klang Valley, then it will be logical to have Nurul Izzah defend Permatang Pauh for PKR," said one source.

It was previously speculated that the mother and daughter would respectively be fielded in either Permatang Pauh or Pandan, but the permutations have become more complicated with the Johor proposal.

Since 1982, Permatang Pauh voters have had as their MP either Wan Azizah or her husband, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

It has thus become expected that one of the ‘Anwars’ will stand in Permatang Pauh.

If Wan Azizah does move, Nurul Izzah would be the only remaining option who is in active politics for the seat, making a move to Johor less likely.

All speculation

When contacted, Tian Chua also downplayed a possible move to Johor.

"This is all speculation that is not true unless it comes from me... This is fake news," he said.

Shamsul, meanwhile, acknowledged that there has been a grassroots request for a top leader to be deployed in Johor, and that he was prepared to consider taking on the role.

However, he insisted that his priority will be his incumbent constituency of Hang Tuah Jaya (formerly Bukit Katil) if former Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam is fieldedthere again.

"If he (Ali) comes back, I have to stay to defend my seat, or there will be perception that I am running away," he told Malaysiakini.

The Johor push

In the last general election, DAP pulled off the biggest upset in Johor, winning four out of the six parliamentary seats it contested in the state.

PKR, however, only managed to pick up one of the 12 seats it contested.

But a closer look at the figures shows the party came very close to triggering a domino effect, given that five of those parliamentary seats were lost by under 2,000 votes.

It lost Pasir Gudang by 935 votes, Segamat by 1,217, Muar by 1,646, Tebrau by 1,767, and Ledang by 1,967.

PKR has ceded Muar to Bersatu for the upcoming general election, but will contest in the remaining four marginal seats.

Those advocating for a top leader to be deployed in Johor believe that it can help give PKR the push it needs to get over the finishing line.

But it remains to be seen if the PKR leadership will follow through with the Johor proposal, as those earmarked to spearhead this push have thus far seemed less than enthusiastic. -Mkini