KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has chided opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for engaging in a “proxy war” by sending another candidate to contest against him in Gombak for the coming general election.
Azmin said Anwar should have personally competed against him rather than sending Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and “running off” to Tambun.
The Gombak incumbent MP, however, said in jest that he welcomes Anwar to send his wife or daughter to contest against him in Gombak.
“Yesterday, there were rumours that a big name will be fielded (in Gombak), but then it turns out he was not that big of a name,” Azmin quipped to a laughing crowd.
The incumbent Gombak MP was referring to Amirudin.
Azmin then claimed that Amirudin was “forced” to contest in Gombak and questioned his ability to lead the constituency.
“He may have a big position, but does he have a big heart?
“If you want to be a leader in Gombak, you must have a big heart, strong commitment, conviction and a clear conscience to lead.
“We can’t choose candidates that were forced to enter Gombak. That is what you call a proxy war.
“It would be better if that person were to challenge and compete against me personally in Gombak,” said Azmin, referring to Anwar but stopped short of naming him.
Yesterday, Azmin revealed that Amirudin had confided in him during a recent phone call to express fear over PKR’s decision to field him in Gombak.
Azmin claimed that Amirudin said he was sent to the seat to be “slaughtered”.
In response to Azmin’s claims, Amirudin said he was merely joking during the phone call.
“Before that, we made some small talk. (By no means did) I reveal party secrets. It was only a joke, nothing personal about it. His life must be boring for him to say this in public,” said Amirudin, as quoted by The Star. – The Vibes, October 29, 2022
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