Pas has 50-50 chance of winning, says candidate

PORT DICKSON: Though Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is seen as the leading contender to win the Port Dickson by-election, Pas believes that it has a 50-50 chance of winning.

Pas candidate Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar said just because Anwar was well known, it did not mean that the votes would go to the PKR defacto leader.

“It cannot be denied that Anwar is a big name in politics, however, that is not an advantage to win easily. Pas is confident that it can put up a fight, as people have yet to have confidence in PKR and Pakatan Harapan.

“PH failed to deliver its 14th General Election manifesto pledges. Now is the time for the people to punish them and prove their power.”

On former Felda chairman Tan Sri Isa Samad, who is contesting on an independent ticket, Nazari did not deny the former Teluk Kemang Umno chief ’s advantage in the contest.

“He may have an advantage as a local, but it may be overwhelmed with issues linked to Felda. Also, he had not done much for Port Dickson when he was menteri besar.

“Voters will think about what he can do as an independent representative if they vote for him this time around. I think Pas has a 50-50 chance of winning.”

Nazari said he would not bow to a request by Parti Rakyat Malaysia to withdraw from the by-election.

The Tenggara Johor Pas chief said the party leadership’s decision to choose him as a candidate was an honour and he would not succumb to such insistence.

“My name was announced as candidate last night (Thursday night). There is no reason for me to withdraw. This is a psychological war created by the opponent to undermine the Pas machinery in facing this by-election.

“I will istiqamah (remain consistent) and honour the trust given to me by Pas leaders and supporters in this fight.”