Saturday August 16, 2008
Anwar not taking by-election lightly
BUKIT MERTAJAM: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledges that his opponent in the Permatang Pauh by-election Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah is a tough nut to crack.
He said he has told his election campaign team not to be complacent as they would be facing the might of the Barisan Nasional machinery.
“It is not about Arif alone,” he told a press conference after launching a giant TV screen for the by-election in front of the DAP operations centre in Taman Arowana here yesterday.
The 3.3m by 2.7m screen will be used to feature speeches by Pakatan Rakyat leaders throughout the 10-day campaign period.
“I don’t want to predict if I can win, but I want to focus on the nomination (today), the 10-day campaign period and the Aug 26 polling day.”
Asked if the Mandarin and Hokkien-speaking Arif would be able to swing Chinese voters to Barisan, Anwar said Permatang Pauh voters should decide whether they wanted a candidate who was fluent in languages or someone who would determine the future policies of the country.
Anwar said the Government should ensure that the by-election is free and fair, and reiterated that he would not resort to personal attacks in his campaign.
“I am also puzzled why the Election Commission picked a Tuesday for polling day. We hope the state government can issue a directive to factories to allow their workers to come out to vote,” he added.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Permatang Pauh would get a free gift if Anwar were to win the by-election.
“They will have Anwar as their MP and, on top of that, they will get a free gift, as Anwar will be the future Prime Minister,” he said.
“Whereas if Arif Shah wins, he will only be able to serve as an ordinary MP. He could do that even if he loses, as he is already a state assemblyman.”
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