Analyst predicts four to five more by-elections are on the cards

PETALING JAYA: Four to five more by-elections have been lined up by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim before the country goes to the next polls, said a political analyst.

The reshuffling of the PKR leadership, which was announced last Monday, was seen by International Islamic University Malaysia political and international studies dean Prof Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak as a party strategy in preparation for the series of by-elections.

He said Anwar, who is also PKR leader, had shaped a new leadership, which would act as the party’s prime mover to face each of the by-elections he had planned.

“Anwar has decided on the by-elections. He has decided where these should be held, his battle plans and the effects of the by-elections.

“I foresee that before the 13th general election, there will be four to five more by-elections that have already been planned by Anwar.

“Looking at the list of the new party leadership, these are the PKR stars that Anwar will use to ensure the success of his strategy,” Dr Mustafa told mStar Online, The Star’s Bahasa Malaysia news portal.

In the leadership reshuffle, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would act as party spokesman while vice-president Azmin Ali is head of a task force, comprising other vice-presidents and the Youth and Wanita chiefs.

Saifuddin Nasution, the new election campaign director, relinquished his old position as strategic director to Tian Chua.

Dr Mustafa added that Anwar only planned the by-elections in constituencies where he was confident of winning by more than 70%.

Other observers viewed the reshuffle differently, saying this was to overcome internal problems and strengthen the party.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political science lecturer Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Faruq said the restructuring was necessary for the party to overcome internal problems. (TheStar)