SEPANG: Port Dickson is not a "very safe seat" for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election, says Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said this was based on Port Dickson’s past elections and questioned if this was deliberated before the decision was made.
He said the winning possibility and ratio of the area, as well as the collective opinion of party members should have been taken into consideration.
“This is what I hope will be discussed after this to ensure everyone’s opinion is taken into account, and it does seem like a hushed decision (secara senyap),” he told reporters after attending the Selangor Exco Meeting that was held for the first time at the Sepang Land and District office.
He however reiterated that it is the party members’ duty and responsibility to ensure Anwar wins the by-election, especially since he is the candidate to be the next Prime Minister.
“No one can or should question our responsibility to assist in the by-election.
"However, these processes need to be fine-tuned and looked into seriously for future events to ensure everyone is taken into account,” he said.
Amirudin said this would also avoid party members being caught off-guard by announcements especially when questioned by others.
When asked to comment on PKR party vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin’s suggestion to postpone the party elections, Amirudin said all aspects should be taken into consideration.
“There are pros and cons to this decision. Postponing the elections could be a disadvantage to certain parties, but at the same time it will increase the cost of managing the elections for the party as well.
“This should be discussed, which is why I say meetings are important,” he added.
Amirudin was one of the few leaders who were caught by surprise by Port Dickson MP Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah’s decision to vacate the seat to make way for Anwar.
Yesterday, Amirudin said he did not attend the meeting when the decision was made, as he was attending the opening of the Sukma Games in Perak.
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