Kajang by-election: Anwar's chances of becoming MB not high, says BN MP

PETALING JAYA: The possibility of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becoming the next Selangor Mentri Besar is not high, Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said.

In his blog post titled "It is uncertain whether Anwar will become the next MB even if he wins Kajang" on Tuesday, Abdul Rahman (Umno) wrote that the PKR de facto leader should not be too confident as his party held only 14 seats in the state.

"Even if Anwar wins the seat, the number remains, with PAS and DAP holding 15 seats each and Barisan Nasional, 12 seats.

"As we know, PAS members are angry with Anwar for not discussing his 'strategic plans' with them. Imagine if they name their own candidate for the post, and all Barisan and PAS assemblymen do not vote for him," said Abdul Rahman, who is also the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister.

In order for Anwar to be elected as the mentri besar, he would need the support of at least 29 assemblymen to vote for him, out of the 56 in Selangor.

Abdul Rahman indicated that if both Barisan and PAS did not vote for Anwar, he would lose 27 votes.

That would leave just two votes, which could be lost if current Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim or any other PKR or DAP member, did not vote for Anwar, he added.

"Is it possible that Khalid, who will be humiliated by his sacking, would vote for PAS? Or will he decide to stay out of it?" Abdul Rahman speculated.

He also questioned if PKR and DAP assemblymen were brave enough to ring in changes.

"Remember, Selangor's politics have never been safe from controversies," he said, ending the post.

On Monday, incumbent Lee Chin Cheh of PKR announced that he was vacating the Kajang state seat to strengthen the party.

A day later, Anwar announced his candidacy for the by-election that must be held within 60 days.

The Election Commission meets on Feb 5 to decide on the nomination and poll days.