Former Penang PKR women’s leader Aminah Abdullah wants to contest the Penanti by-election to offer constituents another alternative choice that would be free from sectarian and partisan politics.

penanti by election independent candidate aminah 270409 The 56-year-old social activist also claimed that she aspires to be a candidate to uphold justice and truth, which she claims PKR had forsaken in its bid for power.

She alleged that PKR had diverted from its original struggle to uphold fairness, justice, equality and truth for all.

“It now has become just another party divided by factionalism and internal strife triggered by self-interests of leaders,” she said, hinting she would substantiate her accusations with evidence during the by-election campaign.

“However, I am not planning to contest because of a political vendetta against PKR or any particular leader,” she said, refuting claims that she was being sponsored by certain quarters to be a spoiler in the by-election.

Her intention to contest the Penanti by-election this month drew flaks from PKR circle, alleging that she was being sponsored by Umno to “kacau daun” (spoiler).

“It’s baseless allegation. I am not a stooge to anyone. I am contesting to uphold justice and truth, which no longer exists in PKR,” an angry Aminah reacted, criticising current party leaders of losing their sense of political direction in their quest to attain power at all costs.

The Penang-born Aminah was among the pioneers in PKR when the party was originally established as PKN in 1999.

She rates her chances of winning much brighter and higher if she were to be involved in a straight fight with PKR’s nominee Mansor Othman.

'I know PKR's strength and weakness'

“I hope Umno and other parties do not contest in Penanti. I can prevail in a one-to-one fight with PKR.

“I know PKR’s strength and weakness,” said the former PKR leader, who plans to conduct more door-to-door campaign to woo voters.

penanti state seat by election 210409 Umno is still undecided on whether to contest Penanti, while socialist-based Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and Islamic-based Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) have both indicated intention to contest the by-election.

Polling is on May 31 while nomination day falls on May 23.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

Married with four children, aged between 13 and 25, Aminah was PKR Bukit Bendera division women wing chief (1999 – 2007), deputy state women chief (2000 - 2004), state women chief (2004 - 2007) and national women exco (2003 – 2007).

She quit all her positions and party membership in 2007 after falling out with the Penang PKR leadership.

Apart from PKR, Aminah has never been a member of any other party.

Since quitting PKR, Aminah has been involved in a social welfare organisation headed by her husband Mohd Rofi Osman, known as Badan Amal Kebajikan Masyarakat.

“I have been serving all communities over the last couple of years,” she said.

She said, if elected, her first task would working towards eradicating poverty and unemployment among all communities in Penanti and also the state.

“I have my own agenda to implement. I hope the voters will elect me to realise it,” she said.

Although she claimed she would be an ideal independent-minded leader if elected as Penanti representative, she nonetheless hinted that she would consider joining a party if offers were to come along the way.

“I can work independently with anyone for the benefit of the people. However, I would consider offers to join any party,” she said.