I will likely contest seats held by PKR traitors: Anwar

PETALING JAYA – PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim issued another hint that he will not be defending the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election (GE15) as he will likely contest in seats held by “traitors”.

Without naming the constituency, the opposition leader said it would be prudent for him to select a “traitor seat” to send a message to those who turned their backs on the party and PH.

“We (Pakatan Harapan) can enter Umno strongholds, but I should pick seats held by the traitors. The message is that betrayal in politics (is unacceptable),"  he told reporters at a dinner with the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Journalists Club at Hilton Petaling Jaya here this evening.

“There is a high possibility (I will contest) in a traitor seat.”

During GE14, former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali won the Gombak parliamentary seat after contesting under the party ticket, but later defected to Bersatu in 2020. 

Azmin, who has since been labelled as a party traitor, was joined by 10 other PKR parliamentarians, and scores of PKR grassroots members.

Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin was among the lawmakers who followed suit.

On Friday, Anwar said PKR plans to bring out the “big guns” during GE15 to reclaim the parliamentary seats won by former members who have since hopped to other political parties.

He said the move would send a clear message to the infamous Sheraton Move MPs who won seats under the PKR banner in GE14.

Among the seats mentioned were those held by Azmin, Zuraida, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), and Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu (Segamat).

Earlier this month, Anwar said although his supporters and constituents in the Negri Sembilan seat have asked him to remain in Port Dickson, other supporters have asked him to represent them in their areas.

At the time, Anwar said potential seats included the Tambun parliamentary constituency in Perak. – The Vibes, September 28, 2022