BUKIT MERTAJAM – Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, who quit PKR for Bersatu in June last year, is mulling contesting the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in the 15th general election.
The former Penang exco said he is leaving it to his party’s top leadership to decide on the matter.
“I am not sure about my candidacy in the next general election,” he said when asked to comment on rumours that he will be fielded either in Permatang Pauh or Shah Alam.
“But the people in Permatang Pauh and Seberang Jaya know who Dr Afif is, and they are seeing me on the ground serving the people – not like some who claim to be seeing the people, but go missing when the people need them.”
Permatang Pauh in mainland Penang is currently held by Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The constituency is considered a traditional stronghold of Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Both have served as its MP at separate times since 1982. Nurul Izzah then won the seat in the 2018 elections.
Dr Afif’s current state seat of Seberang Jaya is within Permatang Pauh.
Speaking after visiting the SP Arena vaccination centre during the Covid-19 immunisation exercise for adolescents aged 12 to 17, he said it is crucial to work for the people amid the pandemic.
“The people in Permatang Pauh, especially in Seberang Jaya, know who Dr Afif is. They have seen me working for them.
“Some politicians claim that they are working for the people. But the people know who is truly truthful and present when they need help.”
On vaccination for teenagers, he said a total of 4,000 have received their first dose at SP Arena. – The Vibes, October 8, 2021
