PAS loses support of non-Muslim leader in Penang
Unhappy over the party’s reluctance to consider a candidate from its ranks for the 13th GE, Dr Ooi Ah Loo is keen to contest the Bayan Baru seat as an independent.
Penang chapter chairman of the PAS Supporters Congress, Dr Ooi Ah Loo @ Vellautham stunned observers yesterday by declaring that he was quitting the Islamist party. Ooi said that he was disappointed that PAS does not intend to field any one from the congress as a candidate in the general election.
Hawkeye, Free Malaysia Today
The Bayan Baru parliamentary constituency is shaping up to be one of the “hot” seats come the 13th general election after the resignation of a top state PAS official.
Penang chapter chairman of the PAS Supporters Congress, Dr Ooi Ah Loo @ Vellautham stunned observers yesterday by declaring that he was quitting the Islamist party.
Ooi said that he was disappointed that PAS does not intend to field any one from the congress as a candidate in the general election.
He is now keen to contest as an Independent, and may vie for the Bayan Baru parliament seat since he made his announcement at the subdistrict’s main wet market here.
Ooi’s move paves the way to the possibility that many Independents would contest in Bayan Baru and this can dilute electoral advantages that Pakatan or BN may enjoy now.
It may see a return of the “crazy politics” where during the Bukit Selembau state by-election in Kedah, 2009, a total of 11 Independents contested for the seat, which was eventually won by S Manikumar from PKR, who is now a state executive councillor.
As of now, the Bayan Baru constituency has over 80,000 registered voters of whom, Chinese comprise about 50%, Malays 40%, Indians 10% and the rest are minority groups.
The incumbent is Zahrain Mohd Hashim, one of several active Independent MPs, while the state seats of Pantai Jerejak, Batu Uban, and Batu Maung are all held by PKR representatives.
In the last election, the seat was contested by BN’s component – MCA but now, it is learnt that Umno is eying the seat due to a belief that they have a better winning-ability factor.
It is a mixed seat constituency and important to PKR because it is the only constituency in the country, which PKR holds all the seats, said political observer Jason Wong, adding that he estimates that five Independents may contests in the next round.
Ideal for a DAP Malay candidate
Zahrain was the former Penang PKR chairman in 2008 before he quit the party in a huff, citing differences with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as the key reason for his departure.
Thus far, Zahrain has refused to confirm whether he would defend the seat or opt out.
“There are many individuals who think they can serve as independents. There are also those influenced to contest based on their anger with either Pakatan or BN,” Wong said.
Penang PAS deputy commissioner II Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa was quick to downplay the significance of Ooi’s departure from PAS.
In a democracy, Mujahid said, anyone can leave and he wished Ooi all the best.
“Ooi knows if he had performed or not, and PAS hopes that its supporters congress would use this episode to motivate themselves to help PAS perform better in the next election, he said.
The PAS Congress has about 20,000 members nationwide.
