ANWAR Ibrahim should not attempt to return to Parliament so soon after the 14th general election, said PKR leaders concerned that calling a fourth by-election after the historic vote could lead to political fatigue and a low voter turnout.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, these sources said PKR must focus on its upcoming party elections and allow the new Pakatan Harapan cabinet to settle in.

“Judging from what happened in the past three by-elections, I can see that people are not keen to come out and vote. Furthermore, we have to focus on the party elections,” said one PKR official.

“In the past by-elections, we campaigned every day, but people didn’t come out,” said the official, adding that Anwar faced the risk of a low voter turnout in Port Dickson.

“We want to showcase the future prime minister, so if the voter turnout is low, it’s not good for his image,” said the source, who is also an assemblyman.

Earlier today, PKR announced that incoming president Anwar would contest the Port Dickson seat in his Parliament comeback attempt.

It was made possible with the resignation of incumbent first-term MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, a PKR member.

Anwar needs to be in Parliament before he can replace Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, a plan agreed on by PH components prior to GE14.

A low voter turnout was the common theme in the three by-elections held since the May 9 general election.

The by-elections, all in Selangor, were called following the deaths of two PKR assemblymen due to cancer, and the death of a DAP rep in a road accident.

The voter turnout for all three by-elections was below 50%.

Apart from the fear of a low turnout, which would reflect poorly on Anwar’s popularity, PKR leaders are also concerned by the apparent haste in which the president-elect is attempting to re-enter Parliament.

They fear that it sends a message to the people that Anwar is desperate to become prime minister.

“We need to look at voter sentiment, too. The fact is, there has been no call from the grassroots for a by-election, for Anwar to return to Parliament,” said one source.

Another PKR insider said holding another by-election so soon might anger voters due to the costs it would incur.

“The people might view us as being desperate for power. We are trying to improve the economy, so to hold another by-election for Anwar to enter (Parliament) is not really appropriate.

“A by-election for a parliamentary seat will incur higher costs than one for a state seat. It’s not a matter of not wanting Anwar to enter Parliament, but it’s just not the right time,” said the young leader.

Party sources said the focus now should be on supporting the new cabinet and strengthening the economy.

“Why don’t we let things settle first, and allow the government to resolve administrative issues?”

However, Senator Yusmadi Yusoff said Anwar should not wait any longer to return to Parliament, as the latter’s political rights had been denied for 20 years.

He said Malaysians, as well as international leaders, would welcome Anwar’s leadership.

“Anwar has been denied his political rights in a most disrespectful way. We have to remember that people had used all their power to deny him his rights. And, it’s time for Malaysians to deliver justice for Anwar,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Sociopolitical analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the Port Dickson by-election should not be likened to the last three by-elections, as Anwar’s return to Parliament was long awaited by his supporters.

“Anwar’s by-election is different from the other three by-elections. This one is important because it will decide the future prime minister, as agreed on by PH.”

He said Anwar was keen to push for his return to Parliament, so as to deter any potential sabotage.

“The longer Anwar takes to return to Parliament, the higher the chances of political sabotage, which could stop him from becoming an MP.” – September 12, 2018.