(The Malaysian Insider) - Denying plans to swap constituencies with daughter Nurul Izzah, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim nevertheless conceded that he was not guaranteed to contest in his Permatang Pauh stronghold.
The opposition leader was responding to rumours that he may instead run for the Lembah Pantai federal seat now occupied by Nurul Izzah, who is expected to face stiff challenge there from Umno’s Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin.
“Why Lembah Pantai? I wasn’t informed of this,” he was quoted as saying in a Sinar Harian report, adding that Nurul Izzah will berate him if he decides to contest her seat.
“God willing I will contest, but most probably there will be requests for me to consider contesting in one or two other seats,” Anwar told Malay-language daily yesterday.
Anwar held Permatang Pauh from 1982 until 1999, when he was convicted and jailed for corruption. The conviction was subsequently overturned.
His wife, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, contested and held the seat during his absence, before making way for Anwar in 2008.
Election 2013 must be called by April 27, after which Parliament will automatically be dissolved and polls initiated.
