Never-say-die Kamarul to contest again

Parti Iman Semalaysia leader Kamarul Ramizu Idris will attempt to be third time lucky in politics by contesting the Permatang Pasir state by-election in Penang.

The social activist, 43, had lost as an Independent candidate in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election earlier this year when he obtained a mere 62 votes.

This was a distant third behind the victor, ousted former Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS and Barisan Nasional candidate Ismail Saffian from Umno.

Unperturbed by flopping on his maiden outing, Kamarul Ramizu, who was born in Bagan Serai, ran in the by-election for the Penanti state seat in May.

He fared even worse by securing only 56 votes, far behind winner Mansor Othman of PKR and two independents - former Penang PKR Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah and former local Gerakan leader Nai Khan Ari.

Kamarul is estimated to have lost RM13,000 in election deposits and another RM70,000 in campaign expenses to date.

He might well bite the dust again in Permatang Pasir, a state seat that has been a PAS stronghold, but said money does not matter to him.

“It’s about principle and the message of love and peace from me to fellow Malaysians,” said Kamarul, who lived part of childhood in Guar Perahu with his grandparents.

He said he is contesting the Permatang Pasir by-election to disseminate his soon-to-be registered party’s principles of “love, caring, peace and friendship”.

Compared to his party, he said, those like Umno, DAP, PKR and PAS are being torn apart by “factionalism and hatred”.

“If these parties adhere to my party’s principles, Malaysians would enjoy good governance, love, peace and friendship. No party would dare to make mistakes,” he told Malaysiakini as he confirmed his candidacy.

“Money can come and go. But the most important thing is my party principles. I may lose again but at least I would have spread my message.”

The Permatang Pasir seat in Penang fell vacant when three-term PAS assemblyperson Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman died of an illness on July 31.

The Election Commission has set Aug 17 for nominations and Aug 25 for polling.

Top picks for PAS, Umno?

Meanwhile, Penang PAS commissioner Mohd Salleh Man appears to be favourite among the five candidates shortlisted by the party leadership.

Others are said to be in the running are former Kuala Kedah parliamentarian Mohamad Sabu, Penang deputy commissioner (3) Rosidi Hussain, Youth leader Mohd Yusni Mat Piah and Shamsul Kamal Sahpie, who was once Hamdan’s aide.

Although Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, could snatch it at eleventh hour, many local PAS leaders and members see Mohd Salleh as a more appropriate candidate given that Permatang Pasir is a rural Malay-dominated constituency.

They said that, while Mat Sabu would be well received since he has a long-time national leader, the constituents need a local leader in the multi-mould of “a welfare officer, religious man and a professional”.

“Mat Sabu would be more ideal as parliamentarian. But since it is a state seat, Mohd Salleh would fit the bill perfectly,” said a leader.

It is learnt that, in the Umno camp, the candidacy ‘battle’ has come down to Permatang Pauh Umno Youth leader Zaidi Said and young lawyer Rohaizat Othman.

Rohaizat’s name has been mentioned as an election candidate since the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election in August last year.

“Rohaizat seems to be the first choice. His name is being mentioned prominently for this contest. Maybe he will get his break,” said a Barisan Nasional leader.

Umno will hold a meeting tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur with its leaders from Penang and Permatang Pauh to finalise the nominee for the by-election.

PAS is expected to announce its candidate on Thursday night while Umno plans to do so on Friday.

In the 2008 general election, PAS won in all nine polling stations in the constituency comprising Sama Gagah, Permatang Ara, Permatang Pauh, Bukit Indera Muda, Kampung Pelet, Kubang Semang, Tanah Liat, Cross Street and Permatang Tengah.

Of the constituency’s 39 streams, PAS only lost in two - Permatang Ara by seven votes and Bukit Indera Muda by 15 votes.