Anwar remains de facto opposition leader
ANALYSIS PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's victory in the Permatang Pauh by-election would ensure that her husband Anwar Ibrahim remains as the de facto opposition leader.
ANALYSIS PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's victory in the Permatang Pauh by-election would ensure that her husband Anwar Ibrahim remains as the de facto opposition leader.
When talk concerning who would contest the parliament seat made the rounds, it was initially speculated that Anwar's daughter Nurul Nuha would be named as the PKR candidate.
This did not go down well with DAP, which warned that if anyone else apart from Wan Azizah contested the seat, it would claim the position of parliamentary opposition leader.
DAP said it would nominate its veteran leader Lim Kit Siang for the post, since they have most seats in the opposition bloc.
The DAP heavyweight had once helmed the post but this was before the 2008 general election altered the political landscape.
Government-in-waiting
However, DAP was willing to concede if Wan Azizah returns to Parliament and assumes the post.
The political dynamics in Malaysia is as such that a non-Malay opposition leader would not be able to convince the Malay electorate that he or she leads a government-in-waiting.
There is always the prevailing concern that without Umno, the special position of the Malays and Islam would erode.
Such sentiments would frustrate the opposition bloc's attempt to capture the administrative capital of Putrajaya.
DAP too is aware of this, and it knew that PAS, with whom it has crossed swords numerous times, could bank on the same argument in wanting to claim the post.
Blocking Hadi
Against this backdrop, DAP's stand was perhaps more aimed at preventing PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang from becoming opposition leader should a greenhorn like Nurul Nuha be fielded in Permatang Pauh.
If Hadi ( photo ) sets his sights on the post, it would further erode the situation in Pakatan Rakyat, which is already on tenterhooks as a result of the PAS president pushing for the implementation of hudud in Kelantan.
DAP has already severed ties with Hadi, whom it claimed was not a man of his word.
Hence, by throwing their weight behind Wan Azizah, DAP would be able to thwart this scenario.
With Wan Azizah back in Parliament and leading the opposition bloc, the people can be convinced that though Anwar is behind bars, he remains in the driver's seat via his wife.
But the woman of the hour herself is coy about what most observers believe is a forgone conclusion.
"This (whether she will be Opposition Leader) will be discussed later," she told reporters after being declared the winner.
Additional reporting by Zulaikha Zulkifli
Related stories
Official: PKR retains Pmtg Pauh, smaller majority
Anwar remains de facto opposition leader
Zahid, Suhaimi accept defeat 'graciously'
Army man caught 'spying' on PKR booth
Guan Eng fights back against BN 'racist' lies
Cops give Azmin a week to say sorry, or else
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.