KUALA LUMPUR: Another contender in the Port Dickson by election emerged today when Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) announced that it will field a candidate for the seat.
Ahmad Kamaruddin has entered the ring, confirming speculation that the PKR turncoat plans on going against his former idol Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Oct 13 polls.
“I am compelled to contest out of pity for the constituents who are ‘forced’ to undergo another poll to fulfil Anwar’s political ambition.
“The instruction to vacate the parliamentary seat was a weak way for Anwar to pave his return.
“This is Anwar’s third by-election. This just demonstrates his greed and impatience to get back power,” Ahmad said while at a press conference here today.
His candidacy was announced at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall earlier.
Ahmad, who led the PKR Kapar Youth wing between 2011 and 2014, said he is not intimidated by the incoming-PKR president’s seniority or stature.
“If this were football, Anwar and I are both foreigners playing on someone else’s field. So we stand the same chance,” the Pahang-born politician said, pointing out that Anwar is originally from Permatang Pauh.
“I am not at all nervous, because I previously fought against Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is also a strong candidate, for the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat on May 9,” he added.
However, the 42-year-old gained notoriety – and lost credibility – after pulling out of the Sungai Kandis by-election early last month.
“This time, I won’t pull out. (My candidacy and withdrawal) was not a gimmick – the party leadership made the call,” he added.
Ahmad also called on Pas to pull out of the race, saying that PRM is going to contest for the people and based on the people’s principles.
“I am not concerned with the independent candidate and we know how Pas has no strong principles. They waver, always. So (they should just) sit this one out.
“Let PRM and PKR battle it out for old times’ sake,” he said, referring to the addition of the colour red to PKR’s party flag which is derived from PRM’s signature logo.
Port Dickson MP Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat on Sept 12 to allow Anwar to return to the Dewan Rakyat.
Anwar is facing challenges from at least two other candidates – independent candidate Stevie Chan Keng Leong and a Pas rep whose identity is expected to be announced today.
Former MIC secretary-general Datuk S. Kumar had also expressed interest in contesting, but called it off yesterday.
On Tuesday, Barisan Nasional said it will be “boycotting” the poll, dismissing it as ‘forced and wasteful’.
