Nizar: This is no mere by-election

Ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin's candidacy for the Bukit Gantang by-election caught many political observers by surprise.

After all, PAS has a large pool of talent that it could have fielded and Mohd Nizar already has his hands full trying to wrest the state government back from Barisan Nasional.

For Mohd Nizar, the answer was simple: "This is no mere by-election".

In an interview with Malaysiakini at his rented bungalow in Ipoh last Wednesday, Mohd Nizar revealed that the party was looking beyond the turmoil in Perak and was taking a direct aim at BN in Putrajaya.

"PAS leadership does not see Bukit Gantang as just a by-election. It is looking at Bukit Gantang as a platform for political change in Malaysia," he said.

Many observers and Pakatan Rakyat leaders have painted the Bukit Gantang contest as a referendum on the controversial BN takeover of the Perak government nearly two months ago.

BN has much to lose in this contest as a defeat would allow its opponents to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the state government, formed after three Pakatan state representatives defected.

A last-minute candidate

Kampar-born Mohd Nizar, 52, was nominated as the party candidate for the Bukit Gantang seat, which was declared vacant after the demise of PAS' parliamentarian Roslan Shaharum on Feb 9.

He is facing BN's Ismail Saffian, 49, a local born, and little-known independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42.

According to Mohd Nizar, his nomination came as a surprise to him as his name was not even on the list of potential candidates.

"They made a last-minute decision. (But) it is not unusual for PAS," revealed Mohd Nizar, citing a similar case during the Kuala Terengganu where Abdul Wahid Endut was made candidate at the 11th hour.

The decision was made at a high-level party meeting to discuss the candidates on March 10 in Ayer Kuning, Changkat Jering.

Mohd Nizar, who was supposed to attend the meeting, did not make it as he was at the Federal Court in Kuala Lumpur for his suit against Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir.

"By the time I arrived in Ayer Kuning where the meeting was held, I was embraced by all the leaders... They said that after four hours of discussion they agreed to make me the candidate.

"I said I'd have to accept it (as) they had four hours of discussion...," he said.

Party wanted a contemporary image

The PAS leader added that he was picked ahead a candidate with more religious credentials, because the party wanted portray a contemporary image.

"Traditionally, if the place is religious-inclined, then PAS will field a religious character. (My candidacy) shows the ability of PAS leadership to change," said Mohd Nizar, who is a successful engineer prior to full-time politics.

However, Mohd Nizar pointed out that the Malays from the Bukit Gantang constituency - an area with a high concentration of religious schools - would desire a candidate with strong Islamic credentials.

He conceded that central working committee member Idris Ahmad, a religious scholar born in Bukit Gantang, was the front-runner for the seat but the party nevertheless took into account of the current mood of Perak people.

"After the upheaval, turmoil and coup d'etat, Perakians feel ripped off of their rights. This is a feeling shared by all Malaysians," he said.

With Mohd Nizar as the candidate, the party is taking a calculated risk, which it hopes to offset by cashing in on the performance of the PAS-led state administration over the past 11 months.

The Nizar interview

Part 1
Nizar: This is no mere by-election
Q&A: If I'm a traitor, what would that make Umno?

Part 2
Nizar answers 'DAP stooge' allegation
Q&A: Ngeh is my trusted deputy

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