The Malaysian Insight

“I AM Sivaji the boss.”

This was Port Dickson MP hopeful Anwar Ibrahim’s declaration to an Indian-majority audience in Kg India, Bukit Pelandok, last night.

The PKR president-elect likened himself to Tamil Nadu actor Rajinikanth, the star of the hugely successful movie Sivaji the Boss, to woo voters in the Chuah state seat.

“Going into jail, coming out of jail is normal for me because I am Sivaji the boss,” Anwar told a 200-strong crowd, which erupted into applause.

He was speaking about his experience being in and out of prison before finally receiving a royal pardon in May, shortly after Pakatan Harapan won federal power.

In the movie, Rajinikanth’s character is jailed and released several times.

Anwar went on a charm offensive yesterday, singing and dancing with the crowd at the Kg India event, and promising attendees that Port Dickson will get a movie theatre.

His arrival at the event was greeted by a procession, the tune of traditional Indian musical instruments and fireworks.

The former deputy prime minister sat among the crowd instead of his designated VIP seat at the front of the hall.

Among the performers was an MGR impersonator, who sang Naan Aanaiyittal – which Anwar said is his favourite Tamil song.

The performer went up to Anwar during the song and invited him to dance onstage.

The 71-year-old PKR leader, holding the hands of the MGR impersonator and an audience member, danced towards the stage, where he sang into a microphone handed to him.

“I invited the auntie, but she was too scared to come up,” he said afterwards.

He said he joined in the song to show his appreciation of and respect for the Indian community.

“I am singing and dancing because I respect Indian culture and traditions. They are also my family. What is wrong in me respecting them?”

He was referring to the recent criticism by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who slammed the former Permatang Pauh MP as an opportunist by pretending to assimilate with different ethnicities on the campaign trail.

Anwar pledged to Indians that after Permatang Pauh – his birthplace – he will make Port Dickson his kampung if he wins the seat.

Anwar’s wife, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said her husband told her she would not have lasted a single day in prison had she been the one incarcerated.

“He used to be deputy prime minister. He is also used to being a prisoner. He told me I would not last a day in prison.”

The crowd at last night’s event voiced support for Anwar being their MP, but some said they are worried that a low voter turnout on October 13 could hurt his chances.

“The concern is about voter turnout. People might be too lazy to come back (and vote). They might think it is a sure win for Anwar, so why bother?” security manager G. Ganesan told The Malaysian Insight.

Asked who they believe to be Anwar’s closest competitor, most of the Indians polled pointed to former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad.

Technician K. Parameswaran said Isa is a “homeboy” in Port Dickson, and there is support for the former Umno man, who held the menteri besar’s post for 22 years.

“Isa is a former MB. He is close to Negri folk. He will be the competition.”

Anwar is in a seven-way fight for the seat. He is up against five independent candidates – Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Isa, Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen – and air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS.

The Port Dickson seat fell vacant after Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, of PKR, quit as MP to make way for Anwar, who is attempting a Parliament comeback.

This is in line with PH’s plan to have him take over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

In the 14th general election, Danyal got 36,225 votes, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Mogan Velayatham and Mahfuz Roslan of PAS, who received 18,515 and 6,594 votes, respectively. – October 6, 2018.