The Malaysian Insight

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar is set to stand in the Pandan parliamentary constituency, replacing incumbent Rafizi Ramli, who has been been sentenced to jail for breaching a banking confidentiality law over his role in the exposure of the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFC) scandal.

A source told The Malaysian Insight that Nurul Izzah will leave the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat for PKR communication director Fahmi Fadzil to contest in the general election, which must be held by August.

“Initially, Nurul Izzah was to be fielded in Permatang Pauh to defend the traditional seat of her father, Anwar Ibrahim, while the incumbent Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, will be moved to stand in Selangor or Kuala Lumpur.

“But after some research, we found that Nurul Izzah would be better suited to stand at an urban parliamentary constituency like Pandan, while Dr Wan Azizah would remain in Permatang Pauh,” said the source who declined to be named.

Rafizi, who is also a PKR vice-president, is disqualified from contesting in the 14th general election due to his being convicted of an offence punishable by a jail term exceeding a year.

Rafizi was found guilty of violating the Banking and Financial Institution Act with his disclosure of the bank account details of NFC.

According to Article 48 (1) of the federal constitution, an individual is not qualified to run as a candidate at the polls if sentenced to a prison term of a year or more, or fined RM2,000 or more, or both. A member of Parliament who has been similarly penalised will also lose his seat.

Another source confirmed PKR has considered fielding Nurul Izzah in Pandan as she is perceived to be the best candidate to defend the seat  Rafizi won in the last election.

“Rafizi also does not have a problem with Nurul Izzah standing in Pandan. PKR is still discussing the matter and it will be decided soon.

“And because Pandan can be considered a safe seat, Nurul Izzah can spare some time to assist Fahmi in Lembah Pantai and other candidates in other parts of the country,” said the second source, who also requested anonymity.

Rafizi told The Malaysian Insight that he was not  involved in the selection of candidates for GE14.

“The candidates are determined by the PKR president,” Rafizi said.

The Malaysian Insight has attempted to contact Nurul Izzah, but has yet to receive a response.

The second source said that of late, Nurul Izzah has been bringing Fahmi along to her programmes in Lembah Pantai.

“It looks like Nurul Izzah wants to introduce Fahmi to the voters in Lembah Pantai.”

Rafizi won Pandan with a large majority of 48,183 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Gary Lim Chin Yee (21,454 votes) and independent candidate Allan Tan (2,415 votes).

The two state seats in Pandan are Chempaka, which was won by PAS, and Teratai, which was won by DAP.

According to the latest data from the Election Commission, the Pandan parliamentary seat has 88,489 voters, with Malays making up 44.4%, Chinese 47.1%, Indians 7.2%, and other races 1.2%. – February 20, 2018.