KUALA LUMPUR – Seat distribution over a couple of constituencies is said to have ruffled the feathers of certain segments within Pakatan Harapan (PH), who are protesting the decision that was apparently made without grassroots approval.
Amanah is understood to have agreed to give up the Jerai Parliament seat in Kedah to DAP, triggering strong objections from the state party chapter and division members.
In return, the Alor Gajah federal constituency, which has been traditionally contested by DAP prior to the 2018 general election, is now set to be given to Amanah.
The Vibes has been reliably informed that former Melaka chief minister and state PH chairman Adly Zahari is tipped to contest in the seat, which is currently held by Bersatu’s Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.
In protest of these latest developments, Kedah Amanah is now said to be boycotting an event set for tonight to announce PH state candidates.
According to an internal memorandum sighted by The Vibes, Kedah Amanah chairman Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi has instructed all state party leaders and members not to attend the programme scheduled to take place in Merbok, Kedah.
The decision was made during a special meeting of the Kedah Amanah leadership committee on Thursday night, which discussed the party’s decision to give up the Jerai seat to DAP.
For the record, Jerai is currently held by PAS’ Sabri Azit, while PH was represented by Bersatu’s Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi in the last general election.
When contacted, Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar dismissed that there is tension in seat negotiations, but declined to comment further.
Adly, meanwhile, said further clarification on the seat negotiations will be revealed once his party announces its full candidate list tomorrow.
When asked to comment on his own candidacy in Alor Gajah, Adly was coy on the matter beyond reiterating that it will be confirmed tomorrow.
A source familiar with the matter, however, revealed to The Vibes that Adly is among the frontrunners for Melaka federal seat.
This supposed arrangement between DAP and Amanah is said to have infuriated members of PKR’s Alor Gajah division, who have been conducting groundwork and campaigning for the seat in recent years.
The division is particularly dissatisfied with PKR’s top leadership’s decision to not make any attempt in negotiating for the constituency.
A source previously told the Vibes that party deputy president Rafizi Ramli recently informed a WhatsApp group comprising PKR divisional leaders that Alor Gajah has always belonged to DAP.
They have questioned if the lack of enthusiasm in attempting to get the seat stems from the animosity among certain party leaders towards those previously aligned with PKR renegade Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
The comment is in reference to Alor Gajah PKR chief Ginie Lim, who is previously said to be an ally of Azmin. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022
