KUCHING: PKR Sarawak is in full support of the party’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to contest in the Kajang by-election.
Treasurer of PKR Sarawak Dr Michael Teo said Anwar, if elected, can solve the many niggling problems in Selangor which have cropped up of late.
“We feel that he will be more effective to help the Selangor government solve all the problems there, particularly religious issues.
“PKR Sarawak will go in and help him to win this by-election,” he told reporters after attending the PKR Stampin’s Chinese New Year gathering here yesterday.
The by-election in Kajang was necessitated after its assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh from PKR abruptly resigned on Jan 27, citing “the common good and to strengthen the party’s ability to serve Selangor better” as the reason for his decision.
Anwar, who is also MP of Permatang Pauh in Penang and parliamentary opposition leader, was named by PKR as its candidate a day after Kajang assemblyman Lee resigned hours after meeting Anwar.
The Election Commission has yet to announce the nomination and polling dates for the by-election.
According to Dr Teo again, the religious issue sparked by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) raid on the office of the Bible Society of Malaysia in Selangor last month has now turned hot and dangerous.
As such, he said PKR Sarawak is of the belief that Anwar can find the solution once elected to the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
“We don’t know who the Barisan Nasional candidate is, but we already know Datuk Seri Anwar is our candidate,” said the Miri MP.
Meanwhile, PKR Sarawak vice-chairman See Chee How said Anwar’s entry into Selangor serves an important political purpose to counter the offensive from Umno against the Pakatan Rakyat state government there.
He pointed out that although Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is doing a good job as administrator, it is important for the Pakatan government there to resolve issues which are of concern to the people.
“Otherwise, the Selangor government is seen to be no different from Umno.
“(Whether or not Anwar gets to be) the new MB, that is the next step,” said the Batu Lintang assemblyman and PKR Stampin chairman.
Anwar’s decision to contest in Selangor has been met with mixed reactions including from Bersih 2.0 co-chairman Datuk S Ambiga who said PKR must give an “overwhelmingly good reason” on the need for the by-election since this would involve expenditure of public time and funds.
BN so far has yet to announce its candidate for the seat.
In last year’s general election, Lee won the seat by a 6,824-vote majority in a six-cornered fight which also featured BN candidate Lee Ban Seng from MCA.