Kajang By-election: A Move To Satisfy Anwar's Political Ambitions - Academicians
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The move by Parti Keadilan Rakyat
(PKR) in nominating opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the
yet to be announced Kajang state seat by-election is only to serve the
interests of the de facto leader of the party, according to some
academics.
Political analyst Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said PKR as a political party should respect the system of democracy even though the process of by-elections is permitted.
"In the process of wanting change, it should be to serve the people and not as a personal chess game," he said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday.
Sivamurugan, who is a lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was commenting on the action of PKR in naming the member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh as their candidate for the seat which fell vacant following incumbent Lee Chin Cheh's resignation on Monday.
Lee is also from the PKR.
Tuesday, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim when announcing the matter, said the selection of Anwar was made after it was agreed upon by Pakatan Rakyat's Leadership Council.
Lee won the seat in the general election last May with a majority of 6,824 votes in a six-corner fight with candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), Berjasa and three independents.
Meanwhile, Dr Amini Amir Abdullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said forcing the Kajang state seat to be vacant was no more than a slick political chess game of PKR to fulfill the desire of an individual, specifically Anwar.
He said if Anwar were to win the by-election, he would once again be crowned a hero which could solve a PKR crisis in the state administration led by the party in Selangor.
"Nonetheless, the question which should be asked is why are the people or voters in Kajang made the victims when they have put their trust and support in the previous representative who resigned without any explanation.
The Human Ecology Faculty lecturer said PKR has been playing with the trust of the people since Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail resigned as Permatang Pauh MP in 2008 to give way to her husband (Anwar).
Apart from Permatang Pauh and Kajang, another PKR representative who resigned was Penanti state assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. He was Penang Deputy Chief Minister I when he quit.
Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the opposition coalition was merely using the by-election to solve an internal problem in PKR.
"The voters in Selangor should wise up in their decision as this is merely a party matter," he said.
Penang Umno Liaison secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the people should not be trapped with PKR's drama, especially Anwar, who was taking advantage of the situation.
He said the Kajang by-election was deliberately being forced to enable Anwar achieve his ambition at the expense of the people.
MIC vice-president Datuk M.Saravanan said the people could see for themselves the selfish culture practised by the opposition.
"Should the by-election be held in Kajang, it would be a waste of precious government resources when the people are facing rising costs of goods.
Meanwhile, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said voters in Kajang have become the sacrificial lambs for Anwar to achieve his ambition.
"The episode is not about democracy but a move to satisfy the desire of a regressive politician," he said.
In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Tun Said Keruak hit out at the opposition coalition for abusing the people in Kajang and described the resignation of the state assemblyman in the constituency as an opposition drama.
He said the resignation of Lee Chin Cheh was at the behest of Anwar and the developments in the last few days were just drama script being played out.
"It appears that after Anwar, who had failed to take Putrajaya, is eyeing the Selangor Menteri Besar post in desperation for power and political survival," he said in a statement.
-- BERNAMA
Political analyst Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said PKR as a political party should respect the system of democracy even though the process of by-elections is permitted.
"In the process of wanting change, it should be to serve the people and not as a personal chess game," he said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday.
Sivamurugan, who is a lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was commenting on the action of PKR in naming the member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh as their candidate for the seat which fell vacant following incumbent Lee Chin Cheh's resignation on Monday.
Lee is also from the PKR.
Tuesday, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim when announcing the matter, said the selection of Anwar was made after it was agreed upon by Pakatan Rakyat's Leadership Council.
Lee won the seat in the general election last May with a majority of 6,824 votes in a six-corner fight with candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), Berjasa and three independents.
Meanwhile, Dr Amini Amir Abdullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said forcing the Kajang state seat to be vacant was no more than a slick political chess game of PKR to fulfill the desire of an individual, specifically Anwar.
He said if Anwar were to win the by-election, he would once again be crowned a hero which could solve a PKR crisis in the state administration led by the party in Selangor.
"Nonetheless, the question which should be asked is why are the people or voters in Kajang made the victims when they have put their trust and support in the previous representative who resigned without any explanation.
The Human Ecology Faculty lecturer said PKR has been playing with the trust of the people since Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail resigned as Permatang Pauh MP in 2008 to give way to her husband (Anwar).
Apart from Permatang Pauh and Kajang, another PKR representative who resigned was Penanti state assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. He was Penang Deputy Chief Minister I when he quit.
Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the opposition coalition was merely using the by-election to solve an internal problem in PKR.
"The voters in Selangor should wise up in their decision as this is merely a party matter," he said.
Penang Umno Liaison secretary Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the people should not be trapped with PKR's drama, especially Anwar, who was taking advantage of the situation.
He said the Kajang by-election was deliberately being forced to enable Anwar achieve his ambition at the expense of the people.
MIC vice-president Datuk M.Saravanan said the people could see for themselves the selfish culture practised by the opposition.
"Should the by-election be held in Kajang, it would be a waste of precious government resources when the people are facing rising costs of goods.
Meanwhile, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said voters in Kajang have become the sacrificial lambs for Anwar to achieve his ambition.
"The episode is not about democracy but a move to satisfy the desire of a regressive politician," he said.
In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Tun Said Keruak hit out at the opposition coalition for abusing the people in Kajang and described the resignation of the state assemblyman in the constituency as an opposition drama.
He said the resignation of Lee Chin Cheh was at the behest of Anwar and the developments in the last few days were just drama script being played out.
"It appears that after Anwar, who had failed to take Putrajaya, is eyeing the Selangor Menteri Besar post in desperation for power and political survival," he said in a statement.
-- BERNAMA
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