Wanted: A 'clean' candidate

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has reminded supporters that the party was searching for a “clean” candidate for its Bukit Selambau by-election.

“The candidate must be committed to our struggle and will not be swayed by inducements or threats. The rakyat is demanding a qualified and credible candidate,” Anwar wrote on his latest blog posting today.

Though it is still uncertain which Pakatan Rakyat party would field a candidate, Anwar’s latest blog posting appear to be a bid to urge supporters to respect the top leadership’s choice.

In the same blog post, Anwar said that since PKR launched its election machinery for Bukti Selambau campaign, many quarters were lobbying for their respective candidates.

“There has been appeals by allied parties and demands for a candidate that is Malay, Hindraf, party veteran and other criteria. (The demands) were made through various means - (some were) police, demands and threats,” he said.

A referendum on Barisan’s actions

Anwar also called on rival lobby groups to close ranks in view of the impending by-election.

“The latest events should be used as a lesson. The party struggle cannot be compromised over narrow agendas,” he added.

PKR is believed to have short-listed three candidates of Indian descent while DAP has three Chinese and two Indian candidates. PAS on the other hand is keen on fielding a prominent lawyer who is a member of the Kedah PAS supporters club.

The by-election follows the resignation of Bukit Selambau state assemblyperson V Arumugam on Monday. Arumugam won the seat in March 2008 as an independent before joining PKR.

In view of the controversial takeover of Perak by Barisan Nasional, Pakatan intends to use the Bukit Selambau by-election and the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in Perak, as a referendum on Barisan’s actions.