PKR taking 3 independents in Penanti

Is politics attracting those who see the political route as the best conduit to make a fortune?

In Penanti, it’s a four corner fight but the Bukit Selambau by-election created history as having the most number of 13 independent candidates.


Parti KeAdilan Rakyat's (PKR) Dr Mansor Othman is taking on three independents in the Penanti by-election this May 31 after one was disqualified.

Mansor, 59, Aminah Abdullah, 56, Mohd Saberi Othman, 49, Nai Khan Ari, 41, and Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42, filed their nomination papers at the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara.

The Barisan Nasional has opted out of the by-election in Penanti, within PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Permatang Pauh political fortress, calling it an abuse of the electoral process.

Returning officer Roslan Yahaya declared all eligible except for Saberi after the objection period ended at 11am. There were six objections against him.

Mansor had contested the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat against Datuk Mohd Zain Omar of BN in 1999, the Seberang Jaya state seat against Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah of BN in 2004 and the Pulau Betong state seat against Mohd Farid Saad of BN in 2008.

Aminah, a former state PKR Wanita chief, and Nai, a factory manager, this is her first electoral debut while businessman Kamarul Ramizu had contested as an independent candidate in the recent Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in Perak.

BN won’t contest for Penanti polls

The Barisan Nasional supreme council announced today that the coalition will not contest the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang.

It is a wise decision made by BN not to contest in the Penanti by-election on May 31 as PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems through by-election.

Ironically, it is justified that BN made the wise decision not to play political games with the opposition. BN no need to dance to opposition’s tune and adept in political gimmick by contesting in the Penanti by-election.

Undeniably, taking part in the by-election is wasting public funds, thus BN seems made the wise decision.

The Barisan Nasional supreme council announced today that the party will not contest the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang, with Datuk Seri Najib Razak insisting it was a political ploy by Pakatan Rakyat.

Najib said the Penanti seat did not become vacant as necessitated by law but instead due to PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems. The vacancy is a political game by the opposition.

"BN's focus is on serving the people and reviving the nation's economy. Thus, we decided not to field a candidate," he said.

Penanti seat fell vacant following the resignation of the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I), PKR's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. PKR has already named Mansor Othman as its candidate.