Beruas PKR threatens to vote BN if not given Pengkalan Baharu state seat


Nabihah Hamid

Beruas PKR chief Abul Jais Asfaq says the party has been working hard for three years for the Pengkalan Baharu state seat and is confident of winning it, but will not vote for Pakatan Harapan if the seat is given to Bersatu to contest. – EPA pic, March 9, 2018.

BERUAS PKR in Perak is threatening not to vote for Pakatan Harapan on polling day if the Pengkalan Baharu Perak state seat it is eyeing is given to Bersatu to contest in the 14th general election.

Branch chief Abul Jais Asfaq Ahmed said PKR wanted the seat as it had more influence and machinery in the area. The Pengkalan Baru state seat has over 18,000 voters and falls under the Beruas parliamentary seat.

“The seat belongs to PKR. We have a strong machinery and have gone to the ground for three years already.

“If they (the PH leadership) does not give it to us, we will make sure that Barisan Nasional wins,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

State-level seat negotiations for the opposition pact in Perak had decided that the Pengkalan Baharu state seat will be contested by PKR, but this changed when discussions were brought to the party’s federal leadership.

“We have worked hard for the past three years. We have organised a lot of programmes.

“The war room for the elections has already been opened. The party machinery and volunteers have already been trained.

“Thousands has been spent here. A lot of state and national leaders have seen the preparations we have done,” Jais said.

He added that there were 5,000 PKR members registered there from 20 divisions.

The Pengkalan Baru incumbent is BN’s Abd Manaf Hashim who defeated PAS’ Khairuddin Abdul Malik with a majority of 2,500 votes in the last election in 2013.

However, Beruas PKR is confident of winning the seat based on the party’s long presence there.

It is understood that the branch is organising a protest this afternoon to express their disappointment.

There are 59 state assembly seats in Perak and Bersatu is responsible for PH’s campaign in the state via its Perak chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Faizai, who is PH chairman in the state, acknowledged the work Beruas PKR had put into Pengkalan Baharu and said he will talk to the division.

“Yes, they’ve worked hard. But in seat negotiations, no party will get every seat they want. Other parties also have to give up seats that they worked for.

“Like Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) said before, no one will be happy,” he said, referring to the PH chairman.

A source told The Malaysian Insight that DAP wants to contest in 18 seats, Bersatu 15 seats, PKR 14 seats and Amanah 12 seats.

DAP currently has 18 assemblymen in Perak, PKR has five, Amanah has four and PAS, which split from the opposition pact, has four. – March 9, 2018.


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Comments


  • If they (the PH leadership) does not give it to us, we will make sure that Barisan Nasional wins,” he told The Malaysian Insight. ABUL JAIS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE PARTY WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT......

    Posted 6 years ago by Mohanarajan murugeson · Reply

    • Right! These people are there for their political beliefs or own interests?! If you vote for a party that you don't believe in their policies and don't agree with their actions, then how can you want to make sure they win just because you don't get what you want?! I can understand if you said you won't help Bersatu in their campaign but to make sure your enemy wins is too much! Stop sulking like a spoilt child!

      Posted 6 years ago by Leong Kuy Leng · Reply

  • Just sack Jais and move on. This is why i don't trust some of PKR Bangang leaders. Including Azmin and his geng.

    Posted 6 years ago by Jay Jay · Reply

    • REJECT Azmin and his geng. Vote them OUT!!!

      Posted 6 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Proof that many Malaysians enter politics to amass power and wealth (through illegal corruption, cronyism, abuse of power, etc). When not chosen, they turn traitors. If they really want to serve the rakyat, why give a damn when one's services are not required. One can always find other things to do.

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply