PERMATANG PAUH, April 2 – The Permatang Pauh PKR Youth wing has voiced its undivided support for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to contest in the upcoming Permatang Pauh parliamentary (N44) by-election. According to the youth wing, Wan Azizah’s nomination could lead to the patching up of things within the party and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, with supporters setting aside their differences and rallying behind her.
Citing her credibility and experience as being the former Permatang Pauh MP as well as Opposition leader, the youth wing also reasoned that Wan Azizah should return to becoming the Permatang Pauh MP as she was a familiar face to the local folks there. Permatang Pauh PKR Youth chief Sharmizan Mohd Noor said only Wan Azizah could win the battle against Umno and Barisan Nasional.
“She is also the the most suitable candidate to mediate between PAS and DAP,” he said in a statement here today. The Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, formerly held by incarcerated Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was announced vacant by the Dewan Rakyat speaker following the rejection of the royal pardon applied by his family.
The petition was filed by Anwar’s family in February after his sentence was upheld by Malaysia’s highest court. The Federal Court had said Anwar was guilty of sodomy and he is currently serving a five -year jail term. Anwar had claimed the charge was a politically motivated attempt to end his career.
