Rough waters for Anwar and PKR
My News Hub
The ‘stillness’ of the Kajang state seat by-election has got Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ‘worried’ given that he is working hard chasing for higher majority to show that he is needed and wanted to lead but the response is considered lukewarm, not ‘hgih temperature.’
He has practically walked the whole of Kajang state seat constituency meeting the 39,000-odd voters, explaining why he forced the by-election which until today has not gone down well with the voters.
Adding to his problem is the party he leads – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) – which is now splitting up as the party polls nearing which is scheduled on April 26.
Anwar’s worry is whether the split, although he would vehemently and profusely deny it, would affect the campaign in the by-election given the Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is also the director of operation for the by-election while incumbent deputy president Azmin Ali is Selangor chief and Khalid is going after Azmin’s ‘blood’.
Azmin, who is known for being Anwar’s loyalist and trusted man, is now taking a back seat as Anwar already ‘put his head in the guillotine’ – taking on Khalid head-on but subtly.
Anwar seems to let go his people such as Rafizi Ramli to ‘lock horns’ with Khalid while he plays the ‘leader should be above board’ role.
Rafizi does not only seems to be Anwar’s voice against Khalid, even Azmin seems to be very thankful that Rafizi is also acting as his voice in the battle against Khalid.
Although Azmin is Selangor PKR chief but Khalid as Mentri Besar seems to have more influence and this worry Azmin as well as Anwar.
PKR is split right down the bottom given that Khalid’s candidacy for deputy president is said to be backed by the party outgoing president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail, her daughter who is vice-president Nurul Izzah and majority of the Chinese leaders and members in the party.
Anwar should be worried now despite his fast pace movements in Kajang, the ground is not that ‘highly positive’ as PAS is said to be split on Anwar’s Kajang move.
The party campaign machinery, manned by the Youth movement, is split as majority did not support Anwar’s move in forcing the by-election just to take over Khalid as Mentri Besar.
Devoid of total PAS campaign machinery, Anwar can only count on his own personal touch and popularity as well as the support of Chinese electorate who have been against Barisan Nasional (BN) as evident in last year’s general election.
But with BN’s candidate Datuk Chiew Mei Fun, women electorate may swing to her given their sympathy towards a women.
With some 20,000-odd women voters of the total 39,000-odd voters, Chew can chip a lot of Anwar’s support which can result in Anwar getting lower majority.
The ‘stillness’ does not bode well to Anwar as the undercurrent is not visible.
If this happens, Anwar’s credibility will be affected and Azmin’s chance of retaining his deputy president post can be considered as good as gone.
