Isa Samad's candidacy can disrupt Anwar's Parliament bid, say voters

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 28 Sep 2018 7:00AM · 7 Comments

PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim is contesting the October 13 Port Dickson by-election as part of his Parliament comeback bid, which paves the way for him to take over as prime minister. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, September 28, 2018.

ISA Samad’s decision to stand in Port Dickson is an obstacle on Anwar Ibrahim’s course to the office of prime minister, said voters in the seaside town.

Voters told The Malaysian Insight that Isa, who served as Negri Sembilan menteri besar from 1982 to 2004, remains popular with locals and will give the PKR president-elect a run for his money in the October 13 by-election.

“He was MB for 22 years. And when he was in Umno, he started from the bottom and rose through the ranks to become vice-president because of his ability to (command) grassroots support,” said Selvakumar, 58.

“He’s humble. People like him. He did a lot for them, especially in Port Dickson. He’s a big threat to Anwar. I give him (Anwar) a 50-50 chance now,” said the electrician.

Isa last night announced that he will contest as an independent in the by-election, which could see a crowded field on nomination day tomorrow.

The seat was vacated for Anwar by PKR lawmaker Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who quit on September 12.

Isa was Linggi assemblyman for five terms, and won the Bagan Pinang state seat in a by-election in 2009. Both these seats are in the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency. He is also former Jempol MP.

Isa held the post of Felda chairman between 2010 and last year, but his tenure was blighted by investigations into allegedly dubious land deals and hotel purchases.

Despite the controversies at Felda, of which Isa Samad was chairman, locals say he stands a good chance in the Port Dickson by-election. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 28, 2018.

Selvakumar, a voter in Jempol, brushed aside the controversy.

“Although the damage has been done at Felda, people remember his (Isa’s) service here.

“He can’t contest under Umno because Umno boycotted (the by-election). There’s somebody behind him, and not from Barisan Nasional.”

He questioned what Anwar knows about Port Dickson, adding that the latter should not stand in the polls as his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, are parliamentarians.

“He could have easily asked them to vacate their seats for him. Why Port Dickson?”

While BN and Umno have decided to boycott the contest, PAS has named retired air force officer Lt-Col (rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar as its candidate.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia and independent candidate Stevie Chan Keng Leng, too, have said they will run.

Mike, 61, said minimum wage remains a hot-button issue.

“In Port Dickson, there are many low-wage earners. The decision not to raise wages to RM1,500, but just RM1,050… these are things people are not too happy about.

“The people see that Pakatan Harapan has no money. The only people who see money are the businesses. They will see two weeks of good business (in the by-election campaign period),” said the retiree, who lives in Seremban.

Retired air force officer Lt-Col (rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar is PAS' pick for the Port Dickson by-election. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 28, 2018.

On the Felda controversies surrounding Isa, Mike said: “Who is not tainted? Isa is a local boy. Born and bred in PD. He has good support in Pasir Panjang and Linggi.

“It’s not going to be easy for Anwar with Isa in (the by-election). With Isa in the race, he will dilute the support for Anwar.”

However, not everyone believes Anwar will face problems.

Wong Chui Han, a Seremban-based journalist, believes that the former deputy prime minister’s “high popularity” will carry him through.

“I think the people of Port Dickson would like to have a prime minister who is from their area.

“Also, Isa did not perform so well as MB, compared with (his successor) Mohamad Hasan. People can’t ignore the Felda scandals so easily.”

At a movie-ticket raffle organised by Anwar supporters last night, the incoming PKR president said voters will “decide what is best for them”.

“If he (Isa) offers himself (as a candidate), that is his right as a citizen. I have no comments. That is his right.

“His issues are publicly known, so let the people decide what is best for them,” he said when prompted on Isa’s candidacy. – September 28, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Unlike Tun M, Anwar is a stupid politician. No planning, no analysis of how the people will react to this PD move. All he sees is "I want to be PM!". If he wins he will take this stupidity with him into the office he holds. I pray everyday that the voters in PD stop this self absorbed asinine individual. We could do with more #lovemalaysia than #lovemyself

    Posted 7 years ago by David Churme · Reply

    • Very true

      Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Smart move ISA, for dumping the poisonous UMNO logo.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Who is behind Isa's move? It'll be interesting to find out.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • Isa has lots of baggage, its just counting on the money politics that he has been throwing all this while but kampung folks felt indebted, he has robbed Felda from every angel and don't forget Felda almost lost their jewel piece of land because of him. For PD folks I am sure you can distinguish between the good and the bad.

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Asal Bukan Anwar Ibarahim.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Yih Ven · Reply

  • Isa has had a lot of baggages..people already dont trust him...

    Posted 7 years ago by Sweesing lee · Reply