How low can PKR get in its feeble attempt to make right the Selangor plot that went awry? In a limbo rock move, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that he would contest the coming Kajang following a collective decision made by Pakatan to ensure a strong victory.

When in Malaysia has there ever been a sudden resignation by an assemblyperson who states he was stepping down for the common good of Pakatan, followed by an announcement of the candidate for the by-election the next day? Never. Dodgy? You bet!

Pakatan and PKR supporters who cannot see through the subtly orchestrated shadow play drama that began with the sudden resignation of Kajang assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh are living in denial or selective blindness. The whole scenario smacks of manipulation of voters’ choice in the general election to suit PKR’s game plan in a last-ditch desperate effort to restore normalcy in the turbulent PKR.

At a time when Pakatan Rakyat is stirring Malaysians to protest against rising prices, removal of subsidies via Turun protests and other avenues, we see a situation where there will be massive wastage of public funds simply because PKR is allegedly unhappy with MB Khalid in:
  • Ending Azmin Ali’s term as member of the board of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS);
  • The seizure of copies of the Bible by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais);
  • The row over non-Muslims’ use of the term ‘Allah’; and
  • The huge pay hike for Selangor elected representatives, etc.
For all the reasons mentioned above, surely just a plain uncomplicated resignation by Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim due to personal/medical reasons should suffice instead of resorting to a forced resignation and then unnecessary expenditure for a by-election. It is definitely not only unjustified and untimely but smacks of the trademark double standards practiced by Anwar, PKR, and Pakatan Rakyat.

When it suits them, it is okay to have a by-election or to use public funds for their agenda but when it does not gel with their motives; they will go on a targeted missile attack to raise public awareness of what is wrong. This time, Anwar and his motley crew have blundered big time for Malaysians are not as ignorant or stupid as they think.

Clearly, Anwar had no other choice but to make the rakyat pay for the shaky situation he faces in Selangor. If he does not offer himself as a candidate for MB, Khalid will not step aside for he would not want Azmin Ali to replace him. In addition, if Anwar is not the candidate, Azmin will want to stand for election. If that happens, Wan Azizah will be most unhappy and create a ruckus.

Standing in the middle ground, Anwar has no choice but to be the sacrificial lamb - at the rakyat’s expense, especially Kajang voters.

Besides, the current brouhaha over Nurul Izzah Anwar’s marital status is likely to have weakened support for PKR and Pakatan so Anwar had to throw in a red herring and move to control a state that is gradually slipping out of the grips of Pakatan Rakyat. Who suffers? Who pays? Who gains? That is the PKR limbo rock antidote for Selangor! Fair? Justified? You judge for yourself!


HUAN CHENG GUAN is president of the Centre for Political Awareness Malaysia (CPAM).