Pakatan campaign fizzling out in Kajang?
There is profound concern among Pakatan Rakyat leaders on the dissent among members and this could jeopardise its chances in the Kajang by-election
Zefry, Dahalan, FMT
Nominations for the Kajang state seat by-election is less than five days away but indications are that all is not well in the Pakatan Rakyat’s camp.
On Tuesday night, PAS launched its Kajang by-election machinery at Desa Seri Jenaris. It was supposed to be launched by party president Abdul Hadi Awang but due to other ‘commitments’ he was absent and instead PAS’ vice president Salahuddin Ayub officiated it.
Other top guns from PAS, present at the launch included its secretary general Mustafa Ali, election director and Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad the former Kuala Selangor MP and former Selangor menteri besar Muhamad Mohd Taib.
PKR too had their prominent top leaders in the event namely its deputy chairman Azmin Ali, secretary general Saifuddin Nasution and their women chief and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin.
While DAP was represented by its Petaling Jaya Utara MP, Tony Pua.
Nevertheless what surprised many that night was the glaring absence of the Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim; who is also the Kajang by-election director.
Fueling speculations further among the crowd was also the absence of the state’s exco members. None of the excos from PKR, PAS or even DAP attended the event.
A PAS leader when approached voiced his dissatisfaction and said that their absence sent a wrong message to Pakatan’s supporters. He fears Pakatan supporters will speculate that the entire Selangor exco is behind Khalid and are unhappy with the by-election.
“Even Selangor PAS commissioner and Chempaka state assemblyman, Iskandar Abdul Samad who is the state exco member did not attend the launch. This is PAS’ Kajang by-election machinery launching event but the No.1 PAS man in Selangor himself didn’t attend.
“I don’t know what is going on but with just five days to go before the nomination day, I hope the Pakatan Rakyat leadership can do something about it.
“My members here are asking me what is going on and why Khalid and his exco members didn’t turn up for the launching.
“I have no clue and if these problems are not arrested by Pakatan leadership as soon as possible, I fear the morale of supporters and members will be low and it will have negative impact on our campaign,” he said.
