PKR aims to upset Ismail Sabri in Bera

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri (right)

TEMERLOH: PKR is aiming to pull off an upset in the Prime Minister’s parliamentary seat of Bera in GE15.

Pahang PKR chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said although Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had the advantage, his past wins in Bera were not by a huge majority.

“His victories in the past elections are not that huge when compared to his reputation as a senior minister and now as the Prime Minister.

“The records show that his majority in 2013 was not that huge.

“If I am not mistaken, it was only around 2,000 votes.

“Based on the mood of the rakyat, we believe this can be translated into our advantage in Bera,” said Amirudin after announcing PKR’s candidates in Pahang here yesterday.

Ismail Sabri, who won by 2,311 votes in GE14 and by 2,143 votes in GE13, is facing Bera PKR division vice-chairman Abas Awang.

Amirudin, who is also Selangor Mentri Besar, said PKR just wanted to ensure victory for Pakatan Harapan and had nothing personal against their rivals, including Ismail Sabri as well as Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said PKR would field local candidate Zuraidi Ismail against Saifuddin, who defected from PKR to Bersatu, in Indera Mahkota.

“The Indera Mahkota seat was won by PKR in 2008.

“There have been changes in candidates in every general election but this time, we are introducing a local candidate who has worked for a long time in the constituency and is also qualified in his abilities, mindset and education.

“I believe we can attract the voters and continue the mandate given to us in the past,” he said.

Other than the six PKR parliamentary candidates declared earlier, Amirudin also announced the 18 candidates who would contest state seats in Pahang under Pakatan.

Asked if Pahang Pakatan had a mentri besar candidate in mind, he said this would be decided on the night should the coalition win the state government.