PAS’ move to field a retired air force officer to contest the coming Port Dickson by-election will prove popular with voters, but ultimately, PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim will walk away the victor, said voters in the army town.

Many locals who spoke to The Malaysian Insight said Lt-Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar appeared to be an outstanding individual.

“The fact that he has a miltary background will mean strong support from army personnel in Port Dickson,” said 65-year-old Samad Abdullah.

Local PAS member Bashari Ashaari expressed confidence that Nazari would be able to give Anwar a run for his money by getting a bulk of the vote from the 7,000-odd military voters in the constituency.

“He has personality, and good relations with his former army personnel,” said the housewife.

Nazari, who served the air force for 28 years until retiring in 2008, also has a Master’s degree in defence and strategic studies.

But while Nazari’s credentials is sure to bring in more votes, residents said the by-election was already a shoo-in for Anwar.

“People like him. A lot of my customers say good things about Anwar.

“He has done well and we need new leadership,” said chef Nazirah Mokhtar.

Another voter, Mohammad Armi, said he believed former Port Dickson lawmaker Danyal Balagopal Abdullah stepping down to make way for Anwar was “the right move” by Pakatan Harapan, despite the criticism the move has attracted, including from armed forces veterans’ group Patriot.

“The decision to vacate the seat, to make way for the better candidate was the right move by Pakatan,” he said.

“On the street, Anwar is the good guy and people trust he will do much good in Port Dickson.”

Patriot had slammed the orchestration of the by-election as a betrayal to voters, and to the veterans who had campaigned for and supported Danyal in GE14.

PAS yesterday announced Nazari would be fielded to challenge Anwar.

Nazari will go up against Anwar, former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad – who is contesting as an independent – another independent, Stevie Chan, and a Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate.

The Port Dickson parliamentary seat has 75,212 registered voters, comprising Malays (43%), Chinese (33%) and Indians (22%).

Nomination is tomorrow and polling day is on October 13. – September 28, 2018.