PKR has discussed fielding Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin to contest against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency in the 2022 general election, according to party sources.

They want the Hang Tuah Jaya incumbent to take on the former deputy prime minister, who has defended the seat for six terms, as it gears up to capture seats in Perak.

“This is part of our effort to strengthen our push in Perak,” said a source familiar with the PKR push in the state to The Malaysian Insight.

When contacted, Shamsul said he was not aware of any decision to relocate him.

“I don’t know but I will comply with party directive to contest anywhere. At the moment I am working to retain my present seat (Hang Tuah Jaya),” he said.

Shamsul in earlier media reports had said fielding incumbents in their seats in the coming national polls will make it easier as constituents are familiar with the lawmakers.

He said the going would be tough for new candidates.

Last night PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he will contest in Tambun as part of the party’s effort to make Perak its frontline state in the next general election.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, was Port Dickson MP prior to the dissolution of parliament on October 10.

The Election Commission yesterday 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.

Pahang, Perlis and Perak will also be holding their state polls on the same dates.

Anwar also said that he wants to boost Perak’s economy for it to be abreast with the prosperity enjoyed by PH-led states such as Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan.

In the last general election, Tambun incumbent and Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu defeated three-term incumbent Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah in the 2018 general election. Husni was a Barisan Nasional minister at the time.

Anwar previously won the Port Dickson seat in a by-election on October 13, 2018 with a majority of over 31,016 votes, after incumbent Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated his seat for the opposition leader.

In the last election, PH made Johor its frontline state and captured it.

However, following the Sheraton Move the state went back to Barisan Nasional and ended the coalition’s 22-month rule of the southern state. – October 21, 2022.