PKR begins 'seats war' as Anwar’s political stronghold appears uncertain

SHAH ALAM - Speculation over seat redistribution within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16) is intensifying.

What began with a leaked internal party analysis categorising constituencies into different tiers has now escalated into a broader question - which senior PKR leaders actually hold safe seats?

Following the leak, former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli sarcastically questioned the party leadership’s sensitivity over the disclosure of such seat classifications.

More significantly, Rafizi suggested that many senior PKR leaders are currently in an uncomfortable position, as a large number of their constituencies are considered marginal rather than safe.

Based on the leaked internal analysis, the Tambun parliamentary seat held by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is reportedly classified as Category 2B, or marginal.

At the same time, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, previously associated with Permatang Pauh and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (Gombak) are also said not to be in strong positions.

This has led to increasingly aggressive internal manoeuvring within PKR, with several senior leaders reportedly being linked to potential moves to safer constituencies.

“Anwar is now being speculated to shift either to Bandar Tun Razak or Ampang.

“Izzah is also being linked with the same seats, Bandar Tun Razak and Ampang,” he said in a podcast.

Meanwhile, internal sources claimed that Amirudin may move from Gombak to Selayang, although this was denied by the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office.

PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan is said to be considering leaving Sungai Buloh for Batu, as his current seat is viewed as highly competitive.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan is expected to be fielded in Hulu Selangor.

Rafizi also suggested that former Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz may be moved from Kuala Selangor, where he contested in GE15, to Pandan, following earlier speculation linking him to Ampang.

Separately, former PKR figure Iswardy Morni predicted that Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim could be fielded in Putrajaya, while prime minister senior political secretary Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi may be assigned to Indera Mahkota.

He added that these developments are unfolding as former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin signals interest in returning to contest in urban constituencies.

Khairy’s indication that he prefers urban seats has revived speculation that he may return to Sungai Buloh, the seat won by Ramanan in GE15.

“If that scenario happens, pressure will increase on PKR to find a safer seat for Ramanan. Batu is seen as the safest option for him,” he said.

Amid all these speculations, the biggest question remains focused on Anwar himself.

Rafizi noted that in Malaysia’s modern political history, most prime ministers have traditionally been associated with stronghold constituencies that symbolise their political base.

“Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was synonymous with Kubang Pasu, Datuk Seri Najib Razak with Pekan, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin with Pagoh and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob with Bera.

“In contrast, Anwar appears to be the first prime minister who has moved from one constituency to another within a short period,” he added.

Rafizi said Anwar, who previously contested in Permatang Pauh, then Port Dickson and currently Tambun, is now rumoured to be leaving Tambun for GE16.

“If true, this suggests that Anwar has yet to establish a permanent political stronghold, despite holding the highest office in the country.

“More significantly, the repeated relocation of a Prime Minister can actually be interpreted in two different ways.

“Firstly, it reflects a flexible political strategy to adapt to changing voter patterns.

“However, the second interpretation is more concerning, as it suggests that grassroots support for his leadership is still not truly stable in a specific constituency, even though the Finance Minister, who is also the Prime Minister, should theoretically enjoy a significant advantage,” said the former economy minister.