ANWAR ‘ALMOST 100% SURE’ TO CONTEST IN PERMATANG PAUH – UNLESS AZMIN-ALIGNED DR MANSOR MAKES WAY FOR HIM IN NIBONG TEBAL: WHAT HAPPENS TO NURUL IZZAH – WILL PKR BE FORCED TO TRIGGER A SECOND BY-ELECTION TO SHIFT HER TO A STATE SEAT?

THE stage is set for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to return to the Dewan Rakyat and expectation is high that a parliamentary seat in Penang will be vacated by the middle of this month.

The choice of seat for the future Prime Minister’s political comeback has been shortlisted to Permatang Pauh and Nibong Tebal.

A third seat, Balik Pulau, on Penang island has been ruled out because Seberang Perai is Anwar’s preferred political base.

Opinion in the political circle around Anwar is believed to be divided about whether the big man should contest in Permatang Pauh or Nibong Tebal.

But a highly-placed source said Anwar is “almost 100%” decided on Permatang Pauh, the seat that launched his political career back in 1982.

The shocker is that there could be two by-elections taking place at the same time because incumbent Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar who has to make way for her father may contest a state seat.

The source said that PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution, who is both an MP and assemblyman, may vacate the Pantai Jerejak state seat for Nurul Izzah.

Saifuddin is also Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP and a federal minister.

If this unique political scenario is approved by the party, it will be the first time in history to have a father and daughter contesting in concurrent by-elections.

However, Anwar loyalist Prof Datuk Dr Redzuan Othman has advised that it will be less disruptive if Anwar contests in Nibong Tebal, which is currently held by Anwar’s longtime friend and comrade, Datuk Dr Mansor Othman.

It is known that Dr Mansor is widely regarded as a possible candidate for the Penang governor’s job.

“Permatang Pauh will be more complicated although nothing is impossible in politics,” said Dr Redzuan, who is Unisel vice-chancellor.

Dr Redzuan’s concern is that Nurul Izzah would not be able to contest another parliamentary seat for the next five years. She would only be eligible to contest a state seat.

On the other hand, Dr Mansor, who is now in his 60s, could move to a different pasture if he vacates Nibong Tebal.

Dr Mansor, when contacted, confirmed that Anwar had informed him about contesting a by-election in Penang.

“But he has not told me directly that he wants to contest in Nibong Tebal. I have known him a long time, I think his heart amd soul is still in Permatang Pauh,” said Dr Mansor.

Seberang Jaya assemblyman and state exco member Dr Afif Bahardin was the first to call for Anwar to take over as PKR president and to quickly contest a by-election.

“The plan is there but we will only know for sure when he puts it before the political bureau. The other important thing is ensuring a smooth transition,” said Dr Afif.

Permatang Pauh holds a lot of meaning and history for Anwar. It is seen as a “legacy seat” where his political career began in 1981.

His family home in Cherok Tok Kun is located on the edge of the constituency which has stood by him through his ups and downs.

Anwar’s choice of Permatang Pauh would also provide a way out of the political dilemma that Nurul Izzah is stuck in.

She was not appointed to a government post because it would be awkward for her to be a minister or deputy minister with her mother Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail up there as the Deputy Prime Minister.

It is understood that Anwar put his foot down on that. He is aware of all the gossip out there about nepotism and the presence of one too many family members in the government.

However, if she wins a state seat in Penang, she can join the state executive council.

Her mother broke the glass ceiling in becoming the first woman Deputy Prime Minister.

Nurul Izzah, said Dr Mansor, might break her own glass ceiling by becoming the first Deputy Chief Minister of Penang.

Anwar had told a PKR gathering in Penang last Sunday too that he was planning to be back in Parliament by October.

PKR Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong noted that Anwar had specifically asked them to prepare the campaign machinery in Permatang Pauh as well as Penang for the by-election.

“He said it loud and clear that he is coming back to Penang. We have been waiting so long for this moment, for him to lead Malaysia,” said Ong.

Anwar is an eternal optimist and PKR politician Lee Chin Cheh said that Anwar genuinely believes that Dr Mahathir and Tun Daim Zainuddin will not stand in his way this time around.

“He is very upbeat, he is confident that he has cleared issues he had with them,” said Lee.

Anwar’s schedule has been jam-packed now that he has recovered from his shoulder surgery.

He receives visitors from diplomatic heads to friends and interest groups at his Petaling Jaya office which has a rather presidential look about it – marble floor, grand staircase and floor to ceiling windows.

The arm-sling has come off, he has put on some weight and he dresses casually wherever he goes – open-necked shirt worn loose, sleeves folded to the elbows.

That was his outfit when he called on the Crown Prince of Pahang a few days ago.

It is quite interesting how he has been able to move into the circle previously dominated by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Anwar did don a jacket – but no tie – when he met President Joko Widodo at the presidential palace. The Indonesian president received him in a manner befitting the next Prime Minister.

He also found time, when he was in Penang, to call on the doyen of consumer activism SM Idris and whom he calls “Uncle Idris”.

Anwar has won the PKR presidency unopposed and he will officially take over from Dr Wan Azizah in November.

But as for how and when he will take over from Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister, the answer is still blowing in the wind.

ANN

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