Silat master on a divine mission

Kamarul Ramizu Idris. Who? One can be forgiven if the name does not ring a bell.

The father of seven is the independent candidate who is locking horns in a three-way tussle for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat despite not even being a registered voter.

Pundits have written him off. But as far as the Silat 'Gayong' master is concerned, victory and defeat is of no concern. He is on a divine mission.

According to the 46-year-old businessman - who hails from Taiping - his entry into the contest is simply to seek publicity for a political party which he will soon establish.

The party is called Parti Iman Semelasia, or PIS, and will be opened to people of all races and creed.

"Winning or losing is not on my agenda," he told reporters when met yesterday. "My purpose is to promote the party which will be established after the by-election."

'What we need is faith'

The crux of PIS' message is the word 'iman' (belief in god). Kamarul reckons this is what Perak needs at present, given the political turmoil.

"Every ethnic group has its respective concept of god and it is with this concept that political problems can be resolved," he said.

Kamarul believes that the lack of faith in god has resulted in politicians from both sides of the divide becoming materialistically and politically avaricious.

"Politicians put their self interest first. They also speak 'sweet' words but their hearts are not sweet," he said.

As for not being a registered voter, the silat master said he did not do so because he feels that nobody is worthy of his vote.

Kamarul also regards the country's sole independent parliamentarian Ibrahim Ali (Pasir Mas, Kelantan) as his role model.

"He is the only one who speaks honestly," said the independent, who sports a rocker hairdo and dark-coloured clothes with a pair of Ray-Ban aviator shades.

"I'm not trying to be 'lansi' (arrogant) or look like a 'samseng' (thug)," he said, adding that he is a silat practitioner and the tendency of this group is to wear black.

About his sunglasses, which he was donning despite it being 7pm when met, Kamarul said he has to wear it due to a medical condition.

Umbrella symbol

On the progress of his campaign, Kamarul said he spent the last two days printing campaign materials.

With a modest budget of RM80,000, Kamarul pointed out that he will not be able to afford organising events such as ceramah.

Instead, he will be relying on 200 volunteers comprising silat practitioners from all over the country to aid him.

Yesterday, reporters were given a glimpse of his entourage, made up of big burly men who followed him around in an eight-car convoy.

On his choice of symbol he will be campaigning under, Kamarul said he studied the list carefully and opted for the umbrella.

Asked why, he replied: "I chose the umbrella because Taiping (adjacent to Bukit Gantang) is the wettest town in the country."