It Is Not That He Loves "YB Hang Tuah Jaya" Less. Maybe He Loves "YB Bagan Datuk" More : The Korban-ing Of Shamsul Iskandar

 Korban means sacrificing, as in sacrificing a goat. 

Well folks it is the nature of politics. Survival at all cost. But survival of whom and at whose cost? Well certainly there is no need to ask the goat.

There is some discussion that the opposition is in disarray. I beg to differ. 

Whether you like them or dont like them, whether you agree with them or do not agree with them some of the opposition parties are rock solid. Meaning they are solidly united and have a clear focus. DAP, Bersatu, Warisan and even the lebai fellows are in this position.

For example that PH gathering in Ipoh two days ago, targetting Perak, (“Bangkit Perak” or “Rise Perak” strategy) will likely have long term positive consequences - for the DAP.  The DAP folks seem to know exactly what they are doing.

But I believe one opposition party is in serious disarray. That party is PKR. And oops, it is too late in the day to salvage their situation.

Here is some news:

The Goat?

From 'thevibes'

• Could Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin be PKR’s choice for Bagan Datuk
• Shamsul is incumbent Hang Tuah Jaya MP in Melaka
• willing to give up his safe seat to take on Zahid Hamidi.
• I offered myself for Bagan Datuk
• “Bangkit Perak” or “Rise Perak” strategy for PH to take Perak
• Zahid has held Bagan Datuk since 1995
• Gerak Independent’s Tawfik Ismail also contesting there
• 14th general election, Zahid majority 51.37%, against PH and PAS
• current voters increased from 45,000 to 58,000. – The Vibes

My Comments : 

I dont think Shamsul would say such things without directions from the Brader. And considering that he has almost no chance of winning Bagan Datuk, it is quite obvious Shamsul is being sacrificed. 

Why?  

He is quite successful in PKR. He defeated Chief Minister Ali Rustam in Melaka in 2013. But I gathered at that time that Ali Rustam was backstabbed / sabotaged by an UMNO leader who saw Ali as a serious rival for Deputy President of UMNO. Maybe Shamsul is going the same way.

Shamsul Iskandar running in Bagan Datuk is typical Brader playbook. The Brader and Zahid Hamidi are BFFs. Knowingly or not, he is actually helping Zahid.  What do you think?

Besides Tawfik Tun Ismail of Gerak Independent it is most likely that Pas and PPBM may also field candidates in Bagan Datuk. It will be crowded. Zahid will read it as the more the “opposition” vote is split the better chances for him to win Bagan Datuk. 

There are other things going on in PKR.  Folks say Rafizi Ramli was supposed to announce the list of all PKR candidates next week. 

If so, it looks like Shamsul Iskandar has pre-empted Rafizi's announcement.  There seems to be an attempt to cut Rafizi Ramli down to size as well. 

Considering that Shamsul Iskandar most likely had the blessings of his boss to announce his candidacy for Bagan Datuk, it would seem that indeed  "PKR is in distinct factions". 

Folks also say that "This Shamsul chap is not in the Rafizi - Nurul Izzah faction!  His unilateral announcement proves it"

So there are factions in PKR, even so late in the day. Nominations are 14 days away.

If Zahid wins in Bagan Datuk, he is still president of UMNO. That is a very powerful and useful BFF friend to have. If Shamsul Iskandar wins Bagan Datuk, who is Shamsul Iskandar?

It is not that he loves "YB Hang Tuah Jaya" less. Maybe he loves "YB Bagan Datuk" more.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.