The Malaysian Insight

SAIFUL Bukhari Azlan believes he can beat his former boss Anwar Ibrahim in Port Dickson if he can win over 30% of the 75,770 voters in the constituency.

The 33-year-old independent candidate, who a decade ago stole headlines with his sodomy allegation against Anwar, said he stands a good chance in Port Dickson if the voter turnout is less than 50%. 

“I can win if I get 30% of the votes. I also estimate that only between 49% and 55% of the voters will turn up on polling day,” Saiful told The Malaysian Insight today. 

Saiful owns a big data firm that doubles up as a political consultancy called SS Premier Sdn Bhd. He aims to swing a portion of Umno’s traditional voter base after Barisan Nasional decided to sit out of the elections. 

“Our studies show that currently Isa Samad is leading in Port Dickson, he will get about 60% of the Umno votes in Port Dickson. 

“I will need to get the remaining 40% to win,” Saiful said referring to the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar who is contesting in the polls as an independent as well. 

The issue, Saiful said, was trying to make inroads among the different bases of voters, including the armed forces, Malays, Chinese and Indians.

“I need to hit the ground and campaign for their votes,” he said.

The Port Dickson constituency has 6,690 armed forces’ voters and 578 from the police.

PAS is fielding air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar to draw the armed forces’ vote.  

Other than Saiful and Isa, the three other candidates contesting as independents are Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen. 

Saiful insisted that there was no one is funding him and his campaign kitty was running out.

“No one behind me. I’m on a tight budget. Coincidently, I am going to launch a fund-raising campaign. Like how in US, Malaysians need to adapt that culture.” 

His campaign manager is his wife, former newscaster Nik Suryani. 

He claims there is not even enough money for banners. 

He only has an A4-sized poster which carries his face and the key logo. Saiful’s campaign slogan is “towards stability”, which he is using to campaign against Anwar. 

“You have a young person as the energy, independent platform. I don’t have any political game to play. I commit myself as parliament member and legislator,” Saiful said. 

He also stressed he would never join a political party and would remain independent if he wins.  – October 2, 2018.