PKR goes with Dr Wan Azizah for Permatang Pauh

(Malay Mail Online) – PKR tonight announced president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as its candidate for Permatang Pauh, in a move expected to allow her to take up the mantle of federal opposition leader.

The Kajang assemblyman had been Permatang Pauh MP for three terms between 1998 and 2008 before she gave way to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim whose disqualification triggered the by-election.

“We need to choose a candidate who is able to lead our fight for the people, someone who has been tested many times and someone who is experienced in leading the fight this is why we chose Wan Azizah,” said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali when announcing the decision at the Seberang Perai Arena here tonight.

Dr Wan Azizah is known to local constituents and fielding her would stave off any party infighting over the seat as well as allow PKR to play on the sympathy over Anwar’s second sodomy conviction.

She will face Barisan Nasional’s Suhaimi Sabudin, a new face and a local businessman.

There is also a possibility of a four-corner fight for the seat as independent candidate Dr Abdullah Zawawi Samsudin is expected to contest again, as is Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

Abdullah Zawawi contested the seat in Election 2013 and lost his deposit by garnering only 201 votes.

PKR is basing its whole campaign on opposing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that Putrajaya introduced on April 1.

Permatang Pauh has been a PKR stronghold since Dr Wan Azizah led the party to take the seat back in the 1999 general election.

Anwar first won the Permatang Pauh seat back in 1982 under Barisan Nasional before he was sacked in 1998 and jailed in Sodomy I.

In the last general election, Anwar defeated Barisan Nasional’s Dr Mazlan Ismail with a 11,721-vote majority.

A total 71,890 registered voters in Permatang Pauh will cast their vote for their new MP on May 7, while early polls is on May 3.