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Azmin, PN's dreams to bring 'real' changes to Penang a pipe dream - PKR rep

Azmin, PN's dreams to bring 'real' changes to Penang a pipe dream - PKR rep
Azmin, PN's dreams to bring 'real' changes to Penang a pipe dream - PKR rep

Former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali's aspirations of bringing "real" changes to Penang in the next general election is merely a pipe dream, says PKR's Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Gooi Hsiao Leung.

This came after Azmin (above) said that it was time for the Permatang Pauh folk to experience a change after years of being represented by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and his family.

Azmin had also said that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has plans to bring about "real" changes in the DAP-led state.

Gooi, in response, advised Azmin not to bring his personal vendetta to Permatang Pauh and Penang by attacking Anwar’s family.

"You have already created enough havoc in PKR.

"Secondly, Azmin Ali and PN’s dream to bring 'real' changes to Penang in the next general election is just that, a pipe dream," he said.

Gooi (above) said Azmin and his faction are living on borrowed time and would expire once a general election is called.

"I am sure when the time comes, the people of Penang will know exactly how to deal with traitors and frogs," he said.

Azmin and his supporters quit PKR on Feb 24 and joined forces with Bersatu, PAS, BN and GPS to oust the then Pakatan Harapan government in late February.

Difficult to penetrate Anwar's stronghold

Political analysts opined that it will be tall order for PN to make inroads into Anwar's stronghold.

Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Sivamurugan Pandian said this is due to the solid relationship between the people in Permatang Pauh and Anwar's family.

"It's difficult for PN to win this traditional seat... besides, there are rumours that Anwar will return to contest here in the next general election.

"The voters here have a sentimental relationship with Anwar's family. They are not tied to issues," Sivamurugan told Malaysiakini.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said that Azmin's remarks were only political rhetorics.

"It's only political rhetorics. Everybody knows the seat is PKR's stronghold.

"Besides, the incumbent MP Nurul Izzah has performed well in Permatang Pauh.

"Nurul Izzah has no issues or controversy, unlike those who left PKR, to be used as arguments to defeat her," he said.

Awang added that it's Azmin and his faction who would be defeated if they challenged Nurul Izzah (above) in the next general election.

For the record, Anwar, who is now the Port Dickson MP, had won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat six times - in the 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995, and 2013 general elections - as well as in by-election in August 2008.

His wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, won Permatang Pauh in the 1999, 2004, and 2008 general elections, and in the 2015 by-election, which was held after Anwar was found guilty of sodomy and disqualified from holding the seat.

In the previous 2018 general election, Wan Azizah moved to contest and won in Pandan. Her place was taken over by Nurul Izzah, who moved from Lembah Pantai.