KLANG: Speculation is rife that PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim currently has a wider choice of parliamentary seats to contest in a by-election to gain entry into Parliament.
The three seats are Sungai Petani, Port Dickson and Alor Setar.
But Anwar and his top leaders have so far refused to give any hint in which seats the PKR president-elect has chosen.
According to party sources, Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul, Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai or Port Dickson MP Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah may be stepping aside for Anwar.
There is even talk that Johari, who is also Gurun assemblyman, would give-up his parliamentary seat for Anwar on certain conditions.
When contacted Monday (Sept 10), Johari said the Sungai Petani seat was currently the "hottest" and best suited for Anwar.
However, he added, he had not imposed conditions including certain top posts.
“I merely said when Anwar becomes prime minister and if he came from Sungai Petani, I could do wonders here," explained Johari.
Johari said his usage of the word "do wonders" had been misconstrued and misinterpreted as if he were asking for a trade-off to quit the parliamentary seat.
“I think he would probably choose Sungai Petani to contest but of course Anwar has the liberty of choosing whichever seat he wants,’’ said Johari.
Chan, when contacted, said he would willingly give up his seat for Anwar if he was asked to do so.
“The seats do not belong to individuals. They belong to the party,’’ he said.
When asked if anyone had approached him to vacate the Port Dickson seat for Anwar, Daniyal said no one has spoken to him yet.
“It is all talk and speculation, but many have said if there is a need, they would make the sacrifice.
“Whatever is being said, the final decision will come from Anwar because he has to feel comfortable in where he wants to contest,’’ said Daniyal.
Anwar had said there were three seats being considered with one each in the northern, central and southern regions.
Last week, leaders from Penang said they hoped Anwar would consider the seats of Permatang Pauh and Nibong Tebal.
But PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said it would not be Penang.
Meanwhile, former Kajang assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh, who quit his seat in the infamous Kajang Move, said the MP who steps down for Anwar must be duly compensated with a party or government position.
“Since he (Anwar) is going to become the prime minister, the person who vacates his seat must be recognised for being a team player and making the sacrifice,’’ said Lee who is currently the special functions officer to Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin.
PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli conceptualised the Kajang Move to create a by-election for Anwar to contest and become the Selangor mentri besar in 2014.
But Anwar could not contest because of the outcome of his court case and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail contested the vacated seat instead.
There is speculation that several seats in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, that come under the central zone, where PKR is at its strongest, are seriously being considered.
Saifuddin is expected to announce the seat on Wednesday (Sept 12).
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