Winds of change if BN wins Permatang Pauh seat

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The political landscape in Penang and the country will change if Barisan Nasional can spring a surprise in the Perma­tang Pauh parliamentary seat by-election on May 7, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said based on the commitment and solidarity shown by the divisional and state Umno, Barisan was confident of an upset this time around.

“Our survey indicates that people are fed up with what they have been experiencing all this while, not only with regards to development but, they also feel that there must be change,” he told a news conference at the Permatang Pauh Umno office yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the people wanted to see changes in the political landscape in the area.

He also said Barisan’s candidate for the by-election would be a likeable and winnable person, chosen from among the local Umno leaders.

“The division chief has stated that whoever is chosen as the candidate, the pledge is to set aside any differences and give their support,” he said.

The announcement on the Barisan candidate and launching of its by-election machinery would be made by Barisan deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Thurs­day.

Despite much speculation, the identity of the candidate remains a secret.

PKR, which will be contesting the seat, has also been keeping the name of its candidate under wraps.

While a few names have been mentioned, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is likely to be the one contesting in the parliamentary constituency formerly held by her husband.

Party sources said the PKR leadership had yet to decide on the date and venue to announce its candidate.

Nomination day for Permatang Pauh is on April 25 while polling is on May 7.

The seat fell vacant after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy, lost his eligibility when the Pardons Board rejected his appeal against his conviction.

For the Rompin by-election, Bari­san is expected to name its candidate at 10am today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Barisan’s elections director, is likely to announce Rompin Umno acting chief Datuk Hasan Arifin as the candidate.

PAS, which will be contesting against Barisan, will name its candidate on Tuesday night.

Nomination for Rompin is on April 22 while polling day is May 5.

The Rompin seat fell vacant following the death of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis on April 4.