Politics

Anwar to run against ex-Perak MB Faizal in Tambun?

IPOH: Will Pakatan Harapan chairman and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim run in Tambun in the 15th General Election (GE15)?

That will be known tonight during the PH Convention at the Ipoh Convention Centre here.

Early last month, Anwar said he was considering contesting several seats in GE15, and apart from his incumbent Port Dickson seat, he was weighing the possibility of contesting Tambun. 

A political analyst said Anwar had a good chance of winning Tambun and defeating its incumbent, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is also caretaker youth and sports minister.

Dr Azmi Hassan said he believed Faizal, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president, would defend his seat in Tambun in GE15.

"Faizal will most probably defend Tambun, which he won under the Pakatan Harapan ticket. That is why there are rumours that Anwar will contest the seat, as he had said he wanted to get rid of the traitors, Faizal included. Faizal was previously an Umno member," he said.

"I think if Anwar has stated his intentions, I am sure they are strong. And Faizal is in a very fragile position because I think Anwar is willing to take a risk in Tambun, and he most probably have a good chance of winning the seat."

Another political analyst, Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul, said he believed it was merely rumours and Anwar would not contest Tambun.

"Faizal's performance as Tambun member of parliament is generally okay. If he wins again in Tambun in GE15, his majority will be lower than in the previous general election. I don't think Anwar will contest Tambun."

In the 14th General Election, Faizal won Tambun with a majority of 5,320 votes against Barisan Nasional's Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah and Pas's Ibrahim Zakaria.

State opposition leader Dr Abdul Aziz Bari said he believed that Anwar would be "lowering his standards" if he were to contest Tambun.

"We welcome Anwar's decision to contest Tambun. But it will not be befitting of Anwar to run against a failed former menteri besar. As a potential prime ministerial candidate, he should set his sights higher," he said.

Faizal was Perak menteri besar before he was ousted after failing a vote of confidence in a State Legislative Assembly sitting in December 2020.

State PH chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said he welcomed Anwar to contest in Tambun as he could strengthen the coalition's Perak branch.

Five important matters were expected to be unveiled at the PH convention, namely the coalition's prime ministerial candidate, the seat allocations for PH parties, its election manifesto, and its theme song and mascot for GE15.

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