Anwar: Ex-MP is keen on working with me

PETALING JAYA: The seriousness of incumbent MP for Port Dickson Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah in giving away his seat and his promise to work with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was what prompted the PKR president to take up the offer.

Anwar chose the Port Dickson seat as a prelude to his return to Parliament.

“Danyal was one of the most serious ones in giving away his seat,” said Anwar from Hong Kong via a Skype interview with Astro Awani yesterday.

“There were several others who offered. In politics, there are those who are reluctant and those who will announce that they are willing – but then back down.

“He (Danyal) was serious and so I met him and asked him why. He said he will continue as an assistant to me in Teluk Kemang and will be actively beside me.”

Teluk Kemang was what the Port Dickson parliamentary constituency was known before the last redelineation exercise.

Anwar said he only considered Port Dickson when the proposal became serious but that he was given a choice of a seat in the north, in the central region and in the south.

“But I was attracted to Teluk Kemang and I was impressed with Danyal’s personality as he did not talk about stepping down but about working with me as a solid team,” Anwar said.

“Although Danyal did not really stand out as a national leader but was more concentrated in the army as a respected former senior naval officer, his willingness to assist me and be by my side was impressive,” he said.

In Seremban, Pakatan Harapan says it is ready to defend Port Dickson in a straight fight if Barisan Nasional and PAS decide to work together again as they did in the recent Seri Setia byelection.

Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun said Pakatan had held the seat since 2008.

“We may have to work harder but we are confident of a handsome victory as the people have not forgotten Anwar’s sacrifices since his reformasi days and they will again support Pakatan and Anwar, who is our prime ministerinwaiting,” he said after handing over appointment letters to 421 state Village Community Management Council chairmen and secretaries.

“I was in for a surprise myself when Anwar himself told me on Sunday that he had picked Port Dickson,” said Aminuddin.

Asked on a veiled threat from the National Patriots Association of a possible backlash from veterans in this army town, Aminuddin said he respected their views but the party was not bound by any such rules.