IS IT SELAYANG, OR BATU, FOR ANWAR?

Rumours claim Batu or Selayang MP may give up seat for Anwar

THE sequel to the Kajang Move is in the offing, with either the Batu or Selayang member of parliament likely to pave the way for a by-election to allow Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest.

It is a political drama being closely watched as it will see Anwar, as per Pakatan Harapan’s agreement, take over the helm as prime minister from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in two years.

Sources told the New Straits Times, however, that Batu MP P. Prabakaran, 22, and Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen are reluctant to give up their seats.

Leong was elusive when asked whether he would vacate his seat for Anwar.

“Yes, if I was asked to vacate my seat, I am willing to do so,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He added that any PKR MP would do the same if asked.

“No one will say no to make way to Anwar.”

However, Pandan MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar have said they would not give up their seats for the newly-elected PKR president.

Leong, who has been Selayang MP for three terms, said no discussions had taken place between him and Anwar on the matter.

Sources in the party said Leong had been dismissive of the issue and reluctant to consider it as a possibility.

His supporters said it would be a foolish move to remove the senior politician.

“Leong has been Selayang MP since 2008. He is experienced and knows what he is talking about. Why should he be the chosen one?” a PKR member said.

A party leadership source said Prabakaran was a more suitable candidate.

“He is so young, still studying. He should give way and see how things work first. He’s a shoo-in for the needed by-election,” the source said.

Prabakaran, however, told the New Straits Times that these claims were just rumours.

He laughed when asked if he would give up the seat if requested by the party president.

He refused to answer, but instead, said he had many things to do for Batu and its people, as well as for youth at the national level.

A PKR Youth member said it would be weird to see Prabakaran giving in as he had spoken so much about his plans and aspirations in politics.

“But then again, this is politics — full of surprises and possibilities,” he said.

Party officials have kept mum, saying that there had been no meetings or discussions for Anwar to contest a by-election.

Many, including PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, denied any talk on the matter.

“As far as I know, there are no plans to vacate any seat. As far as the party is concerned, we are at the level of preparedness right now to focus on the party election and we will see how things progress from there.”

This, however, leaves room for more speculation.

And it does seem that the PKR’s top leadership is not being transparent with members about Anwar, given that he had hinted at a by-election after the recently-concluded Sungai Kandis and soon-to-be-held Balakong byelections, to pave his way back to Parliament.

Or could this be an act to detract attention from the party’s political play and PH’s upcoming 100-day election manifesto deadline?

A party insider privy to such knowledge quoted Sun Tzu’s Art of War when asked about the situation.

“Sun Tzu said if you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near. Well, it is good to keep people on their toes,” he said.

While there is acceptance among PKR members of this Kajang Move 2.0, supporters and people are beginning to question whether they will be taken on a ride, all for one man to achieve the height of his political career.