Anwar’s absence in Sungai Bakap poll raises eyebrows, says Ramasamy

June 15, 2024

Anwar’s absence in Sungai Bakap poll raises eyebrows, says Ramasamy

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision not to hit the campaign trail for the Pakatan Harapan candidate in the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election has raised some questions, says a former Penang DAP man.

P Ramasamy said this referring to a report yesterday where the PKR president told reporters he would not be involved in the coalition’s campaign activities for the state seat poll.

“I can understand why Anwar did not show up in the Kuala Kubu Baharu poll as he was not too comfortable to be seen around with DAP’s Chinese candidate,” he said in a statement.

“But this time around, it is puzzling to note why he would not show up to support a candidate from his own party (PKR).”

The former Penang deputy chief minister, however, said Anwar’s supporters might excuse his absence by claiming that the prime minister was “too busy” with other responsibilities.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Kalau Johor Yang Pertama Tandatangan Serah Negeri Kepada British, Siapa Pula PM Pertama Yang Serahkan Tanah Johor Kepada Singapura

Ramasamy said the supporters might argue this was what prevented him from attending the earlier Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, and will similarly prevent him from coming down for the Sungai Bakap poll.

Anwar did not campaign for DAP’s Pang Sock Tao in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11.

“Maybe, there is a real reason why Anwar refuses to show up in this by-election.

“By-elections are not ordinary elections. They are a barometer of the feelings and sentiments of society at a micro level,” said Ramasamy, who is a former Prai assemblyman.

“The voting patterns of by-elections might be reflective of national political trends. In this respect, by-elections are as important as national elections.”

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Ibu Bapa Allahyarham Zayn Rayyan Di Bawa Ke Mahkamah

The by-election for the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang will be held on July 6, with nominations taking place on June 22.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS, on May 24.

PKR first wrested Sungai Bakap from Barisan Nasional in the 2008 general election and retained it for two more terms, before losing it to Perikatan Nasional last year.

PKR was the first party to announce its candidate for the by-election when it named Joohari Ariffin, who used to be a director at the Aminuddin Baki Institute in Kedah, on Wednesday night.

The Sungai Bakap seat is a mixed seat with a 59.4% Malay electorate, followed by Chinese (22.5%), Indians (17.4%) and others (0.7%).