Anwar to contest in Ipoh Timor?

Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia also says Anwar Ibrahim’s proposed move to Perak is not well received by the state DAP

K Pragalath, FMT

It is speculated that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim will be contesting in the Ipoh Timor parliamentary seat, vacated by DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang.

However, Utusan Malaysia reported that Perak DAP does not appear to support the move.

Perak DAP chairman and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham had declined to comment.

Kit Siang would be contesting in Gelang Patah, Johor.

Anwar, who is currently Permatang Pauh MP and PKR de facto leader, had announced last Wednesday that he is mulling over the options to contest in Perak or Selangor.

Ipoh Timor is considered a safe seat for Anwar. Lim has been the MP for the majority Chinese seat since 2004.

With over 80% Chinese voters in the constituency, Lim defeated Thong Fah Chong of MCA by polling 28,851 votes against Thong’s 19,077 votes in the 11th general election. In 2008, Lim beat Liew Mun Hon of the MCA by polling 37,364 votes to Liew’s 15,422 votes.

Since Anwar’s announcement, various PAS divisions have invited Anwar to contest in seats contested by PAS. The seats are Tambun, Lumut and Bagan Datoh.

Meanwhile, Sinar Harian said Anwar’s political career would end in Perak due to his indecisiveness.

Sinar’s columnist Yusof Harun said that Anwar’s political end looms in the horizon as he is abandoning the Malay support that he enjoyed ever since his student days.

The article noted Anwar was close with the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) and PAS prior to joining Umno and had been contesting in Permatang Pauh since 1982.

Yusof also quoted former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as saying: “It is okay if he wants to run away from Permatang Pauh. It clearly shows that his confidence in that seat is reducing.”

The columnist also speculated that Anwar may not have an easy ride if he contested the Lumut parliamentary seat, currently held by Transport Minister and MCA secretary-general Kong Cho Ha.