Anwar is God’s gift to PD folk, says former MIC leader


(Malaysiakini) – PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim is “God’s gift” to the people of Port Dickson, says former MIC vice-president S Sothinathan.

In his first appearance on the Pakatan Harapan campaign trail, Sothinathan said citizens in Port Dickson would be extremely lucky to have the future prime minister as their MP.

“From the time our country achieved independence, among the 222 parliamentary seats, only voters in seven constituencies have been blessed with the privilege of having a prime minister as their MP.

“Now, voters in Port Dickson are capable of creating history by getting a future prime minister as their MP.

“Therefore, we must fully support Anwar to give him a stylish victory with a high majority, come polling day on Oct 13,” Sothinathan told a ceramah in Sri Tanjung last night.

Sothinathan quit MIC last August and says he is now retired from politics. He was also a two-term MP for Teluk Kemang, which Port Dickson was formerly known as.

The former deputy minister also expressed confidence that the tourist destination can be developed to be on par with big towns in the Klang Valley.

“Currently, we have to go to Kuala Lumpur to conduct important business, such as continuing higher studies. When I completed my schooling, I had to go to Kuala Lumpur to further my studies because Port Dickson lacked institutions for higher learning.

“I hope after Anwar wins in Port Dickson, he will pay extra attention to issues like this,” he told the crowd of 500.

For the sake of PD

Upon his retirement from politics, Sothinathan said he chose to support Anwar in the interests of the people of Port Dickson.

“I am retired from politics. However, I decided to fight alongside Anwar for the sake of the Port Dickson folk.”

Besides Anwar himself, also present at the ceramah were Deputy Works Minister Mohd Anuar Tahir, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew, Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, and outgoing Port Dickson MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah – whose resignation paved the way for Anwar to run for office in his bid to make a return to Parliament.

Anwar will go up against six challengers for the seat – including former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohd Isa Samad and Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, both running as independents.

The other candidates are retired air force officer Mohd Nazari Mokhtar from PAS, and independents Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kee Chee Yuen.

Some 75,211 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the by-election.



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