‘PLEASE COME BACK AND VOTE’
PKR de facto leader worried about low voter turnout
PKR leaders are worried about possible low voter turnout in the Port Dickson by-election. This follows the low voter turnout at three by-elections following the 14th General Election.
PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, engaged in a seven-cornered fight for the seat, has admitted that a marginal win will not bode well for a prime minister in waiting.
“Where will I put my face if the Election Commission announces me as the victor with a majority of 200 votes on Oct 13?
“If you have children outstation in Klang or Johor Baru, ask them to come back and vote this time. I need your help. Next time, I will help you,” he told the people during his campaign rounds in Kampung Arab here yesterday.
The Seri Setia and Balakong byelections on Sept 8 saw a record low voter turnout of 44.1 and 43 per cent, respectively.
This trend was noticed in the Sungai Kandis by-election on Aug 4, the first after the 14th General Election (GE14), which saw a 49.9 per cent voter turnout.
PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali appealed to voters to come out in droves to vote in order to give Anwar a strong mandate as the future prime minister.
“If the turnout is only 40 to 45 per cent, it will not be good as he is the next prime minister.”
“We have to work hard. Don’t take it easy or be complacent,” he said during a campaign talk.
Azmin said there were many voters in Singapore and Johor Baru who need to be convinced to come back and vote as they would be creating history by voting for the next prime minister.
“Just come for back for a while, you need to create history.
“I am sure that Anwar will win in Port Dickson but let it be a big win. I want a solid win with a majority of more than 20,000 votes.”
Azmin was drawing comparisons with the constituency’s former member of parliament, Datuk Seri Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who won the 14th General Election with a majority of 17,000 votes.
“It’s a significant by-election and all eyes are on Port Dickson. It is instrumental in paving the way for Anwar to take over as prime minister after Tun Dr Mahathir Mahathir.”
Azmin told voters it was the best way for Port Dickson to create a name for itself as a constituency that backed a clean man who would reform the nation.
“The message you are sending is that you want a clean, qualified and credible leader who has integrity. If you vote for Anwar, you will save Malaysia from Umno (and divisive politics).”