PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to contest in Tambun for the general election will give a boost to Pakatan Harapan in the state, said political analysts.

They said that Anwar has a good chance of wresting the seat from the hands of rival Bersatu.

They added that Anwar decided to move from Port Dickson to show that he doesn’t fear contesting in a Malay-majority semi urban area, not least that he was confident of winning the seat.

International Islamic University of Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said Anwar’s biggest asset was his reputation, and that he would be banking on it to win.

“He stands a chance. Tambun is a semi-urban seat, situated just next to Ipoh.

“With the PH vote bank and his charisma, he might be able to win,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Thursday, Anwar confirmed he will be contesting for the Tambun seat in the general election.

The Election Commission has set November 19 as polling day for the 2022 general election.

Nomination day is on November 5 and early polling will be held on November 15.

Tunku Mohar said Anwar’s presence in Perak will boost the morale for the pact in winning federal seats in the state, as well as winning the state too.

“I think he wants to show that he does not fear new challenges. He also wants to bring home the point that the pengkhianat (traitors) must be defeated in this election.

“However, also having potential prime ministerial nominee will surely bring excitement for the local electorate and encourage them to vote.”

Tunku Mohar said in 2018, PH was strong in urban and semi-urban seats, while BN was stronger in the rural and semi-rural seats.

“I believe the mood is still the same, but with a new challenge presented by Perikatan Nasional.

“It’s a test case on where the votes for PH will come from.”

He said that should PN decide to field incumbent MP and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu in Tambun, it would be a close contest considering Faizal’s reputation, especially as he has experience as menteri besar.

However, Tunku Mohar still thought Anwar would prevail.

“How strong the Bersatu factor was in 2018 will be tested in November. Considering Anwar’s strength, I think he can beat Faizal.”

Making Perak a front-line state

University of Tasmania Professor of Asian Studies James Chin said the fact Anwar had decided to contest in Tambun meant he was aware that he could win, perhaps even with a big majority.

“He has to choose his seats carefully and he picked Tambun because he could also be going after ‘someone’ who betrayed PH.

“This is also his signal to make Perak a front-line state. He is trying to show he is leading PH to take over Perak. He believes he can win big.”

Chin said it was difficult to gauge the level of support for PH now, but said the coalition’s presence in the state was visible, especially since it had won in 2018.

He also said that Anwar’s chances of winning would be easier if there were multiple candidates.

“If the votes are split with Umno and others also standing, then Anwar will have an easy win.”

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said that Anwar was trying to accomplish several goals with this move.

“First, to spearhead PH’s possible return to power in Perak.

“Second, to prove that he can win a Malay-majority (70%) seat. Third, he must have considered this to be a safe enough seat for him to still be able to free himself to campaign around the country.”

He said other parties would put up a good fight but ultimately Anwar was still likely to squeeze by to win. – October 22, 2022.