KOTA KINABALU: The decision for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the Port Dickson parliamentary seat should not be questioned.
In saying this, PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali wanted all quarters including the party's machinery to focus on efforts to ensure victory for the incoming party president in the Negri Sembilan constituency.
He also said the party would focus on retaining the seat, and brushed aside claims of potential nepotism in Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Asked to comment on activist Datuk S Ambiga's warning that nepotism may rise within the coalition following Anwar's potential return to Parliament via the Port Dickson by-election, Mohamed Azmin said it was up to the former Bersih 2.0 chairman to think that.
“Now it has become academic, decision has been made so let us focus on our machinery to ensure we retain the seat,” the Economic Affairs minister said when asked about Ambiga’s suggestion that either Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah or his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail should instead vacate their seat for him to contest in.
“Our focus is to work very hard and mobilise our machineries from all over the state to ensure not only we retain the seat but gain better majority.
“It is very crucial for us to continue the mandate given by the rakyat in the last general election,” he said without commenting further.
Mohamed Azmin said this to reporters during his working visit to the state, here, today.
Earlier, he said he has met and will continue discussions with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to foster federal-state relations, and that he attended a briefing from Sabah’s Economic Planning Unit accompanied by Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony.
Mohamed Azmin said they touched on power and water supplies, road links, security as well as the tourism industry in the State.