Pakatan’s resources will be stretched by three polls, says Anwar

By Adib Zalkapli | KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 4,2009 — Malaysianinsider

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged today his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance will find it tough going in contesting three by-elections at one go.

With limited resources, he acknowledged the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Batang Ai state poll in Sarawak on the same day as the Bukit Gantang, Perak, and Bukit Selambau, Kedah elections, could put a dent in PR’s struggle to regain political momentum.

“The decision will of course make it difficult for us as we still have to face two by-elections in Kedah and Perak.

“But we will field a candidate that will give a strong challenge to BN,” Anwar told reporters when met at Parliament.

Earlier today the EC said that nomination day for the Batang Ai polls has been set for March 29 while polling is on April 7.

The commission expressed confidence it could handle three by-elections simultaneously.

But PR parties, already put on the defence by BN’s relentless attacks in the past month will find it difficult.

The Batang Ai election will be a chance for PR to show its relevance in Sarawak, identified earlier as a new front-line state in the alliance’s quest for federal power.

But PR parties do not have strong machineries in the East Malaysian state and will have to rely on national leaders to campaign in the rural ward.

PR party leaders are, however, being kept busy trying to ensure it can defend the two seats it holds in Perak and Kedah.

Despite the recent wave of public support for the PR alliance over the battle for control of the state, victory in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau is by no means a certainty.

The BN coalition, effectively under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has been rejuvenated.

Umno is expected to put up a strong local candidate in Bukit Gantang to ensure a victory so that it can put the controversy over the state power grab to rest.

Likewise in Bukit Selambau where it hopes to win the seat and put extra pressure on the Kedah PR government.

On the selection of a PR candidate for Batang Ai, Anwar said the party has identified several active personalities.

“We have some active candidates in the constituency and they will be considered,” said the Permatang Pauh MP.

“We may not have a strong machinery like Barisan Nasional but the Sarawakians are familiar with our policies and our stand on issues regarding the Dayaks is well known,” he added.