PERMATANG PAUH, 7 May: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ensured that their stronghold remained potent after defeating three other candidates in the Permatang Pauh by-election today.
The victory was obtained after PKR, who nominated its President, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, received 30,316 votes compared to Suhaimi Shabudin from BN, who collected 21,475 votes.
Dr Wan Azizah, who won with a majority of 8,841 votes, also beat two other candidates from PRM (101) and independent (367).
This victory is sweeter when PKR managed to increase support in Malay majority areas by around four to five percent, especially among young voters, although the turnout was only 74 percent.
In this regard, Dr Wan Azizah said that the victory also showed that the people sympathised with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, thus proving that the PKR de facto leader is still relevant in the people’s hearts.
“The victory this time is proof that the people, especially in Permatang Pauh, want a strong Pakatan Rakyat.
“It is not just PKR’s victory, but the people who oppose BN’s tyranny against Anwar Ibrahim.
“This is a referendum that the people reject the goods and services tax (GST), are against corruption, and abuse of power,” she said during a press conference immediately after she was announced the winner at the vote tallying centre at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) .
Dr Wan Azizah also attributes her victory to the weaknesses in the administration of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, which is filled with scandals.
“It is also the people’s manifestation against the failure of the Prime Minister which is filled with leakages, leadership weaknesses and scandals, especially the 1MDB one where they were forced to use Tabung Haji funds,” she said.
NS
