Pakatan can win Semenyih if govt performs, says Anwar

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 29 Jan 2019 7:09PM · 6 Comments

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim delivering his closing keynote at the Kingsley Strategic Initiatives Institute (KSI Institute) event in Istana Hotel Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, January 29, 2019.

PAKATAN Harapan can head off the Umno-PAS alliance at the coming Semenyih by-election without resorting to using the race card, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

The state seat, which fell vacant after Selangor assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor died on January 11, will be the sixth by-election since the May 9 polls last year and Bersatu’s first to contest.  

On whether the Umno-PAS alliance will have an impact as they did in the Cameron Highlands by-election last week, Anwar said.

“Temporarily, yes it seems to be that because the Malays feel that we are not catering for their initial problems, particularly price of commodities and price of essential items.

“But I think, contrary to the general perception, it is not right to say that the race card is still too relevant,” he told reporters at an economics forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

Bakhtiar, 57, passed away from a heart attack. Polling for Semenyih will be held on March 2. Nomination day has been set for February 16 and early voting will be on February 26.

Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday attributed the coalition’s defeat at Cameron Highlands to Barisan Nasional playing up “racial issues”.

In that election, PH candidate M. Manogaran was trounced by Orang Asli ex-cop Ramli Mohd Noor, who won with a 3,238-vote majority.

Anwar believed the race factor is overplayed in winning support.

“We have to learn not only necessarily from Cameron Highlands but, essentially, people do accept (hold to the view) that the leadership must deliver at least some of its promises, particularly affecting the poorer segment of the community.

“I don’t share this view of a racial divide on the condition that we do serve the people.

“It’s how we deliver and I’m optimistic that we have the right policies, we go down and serve the people, then we would be able to manage.” – January 29, 2019.

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Comments

  • We already know PH government is working hard to rid corruption and rejunevating the government machinery. In building a New Malaysia. Tackle the toxic politics coming from PAS and UMNO first, as this seems more imperative in the election than introducing any new programmes to please the voters.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Tokkok. How to tackle toxic when they are drinking toxic by accepting umno goons into their bedroom for rendezvous

      Posted 5 years ago by Duh Duh · Reply

  • Firstly, you should look at Keadilan internal problems.

    Posted 5 years ago by It's me GR · Reply

  • There should enact a law quickly to stop all the hate speeches and racist rhetoric or this country will go down the road of apartheid.

    Posted 5 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • Anwar speaking in the 3rd person. This is hilarious. But worth pondering the ' abdication ' of party presidential responsibilities.

    Posted 5 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • The race card are actually played out by politician themselves. Whether it is the main campaign speech by PH or UmnoBN, the rakyat at this current political environment are almost quite immune to it. It will reach a stage where if anyone leaders from both political divide were to start talking about religion and race they will be jeered and worst scenerio chased out by the rakyat. Both UmnoBN and PH has the opportunity to administrate the country and using that two pointers to rile up sentiments are now see as a diversion to reslove the woes and miseries of the country and totally bankrupt of competency . Do not keep on fooling the Rakyat after May 9th.'18. They are fed up and very very cross with both PH and UmnoBN. The pressing issues of Malaysian are the economic well being for their families with daily stress on basic food neccessities caued by rising prices. PH Government Ministers are very busy working but busy doing nothing save for a few Ministeries. In the CH by elections the ordinary people are whispering that with all the congregation of PH top guns of PH or even if Manogaran do not speak stupid comments let alone foolishly wearing something else apart from the PH Uniform, nothing will change for PH to loose. Rakyat are well informed on what PH is doing in the country and by the power of media and viraling of information which are now shared very well by many within the country it does not take a rocket science on the telling sign of CH by election failures to happen. Rakyat is using CH as ground zero to tell PH of their disapoinment . Again all the smart aleck post mortem analysis blaming the race card as the factor are just a glaring example of PH inadequacy and the foolish denial on the hurtful truth. A reflection in no will and convictions to serve the Rakyat , or implement affirmative reforms and changes for the country greater good . Rakyat are starting to disbelieve that PH is a capable. Keep on the same trend in complacency and believing that Rakyat still loves PH blindly ------------------ Semenyih to fall !!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply