Don: Dr M main factor in Anwar’s win
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s backing of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the main factor in the PKR de facto leader’s victory in the Port Dickson by-election.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political analayst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said the campaign promoting Anwar as the eighth prime minister boosted voters’ confidence.
“Dr Mahathir visited (Port Dickson) and aided Anwar in his campaign. It’s a huge thing in any by-election.
“It is very rare for a prime minister to go down and campaign in a by-election.
“Anwar should be thankful to Dr Mahathir for the support as it had a huge impact in attracting voters.
“Voters were more convinced when it was repeated that Anwar would become the eighth prime minister.”
He said Anwar’s huge win showed that there was no challenger to Pakatan Harapan other that Barisan Nasional, which boycotted the by-election.
“It cannot be denied that BN’s withdrawal (from the polls) could have contributed to the low voter turnout. But despite this, Anwar still won big.”
Azizuddin said he had foreseen Anwar’s challengers losing their deposits.
“Initially, I could not understand why there were so many people contesting the Port Dickson by-election.
“All you need to do to challenge Anwar is to have one candidate of the right calbre to contest against him.
“But when there are seven candidates, votes that don’t go to Anwar will be broken up.”
On Saturday, Anwar won the parliamentary seat with a 23,560-vote majority over Pas’ Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar.
Anwar polled 31,106 votes and Nazari, 7,456.
All independent candidates lost their deposits, including Port Dickson native and former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Isa Samad, who polled 4,230 votes.
Stevie Chan polled 337 votes, Lau Seck Yan (214), Kan Chee Yuen (154) and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan (82).
Anwar is expected to be sworn in as a member of parliament today.
With the victory, Anwar is a step away from becoming the successor to Dr Mahathir as prime minister, a plan that was agreed upon by the four component parties of Pakatan Harapan before the 14th General Election.