Editor’s note: Anwar has recently clarified that there’s no discussion of the possibility of fielding Rais as a PKR candidate.
A NEW election candidate in the form of newly welcomed PKR member Datuk Dr Rais Hussin? Is this likely? The former Bersatu co-founder and supreme council member left his former party only to join another political coalition Pakatan Harapan.
Rais unexpected news comes just a week after he announced that he left Bersatu which he co-founded with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former Malaysian Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) chairman said he resigned from Bersatu as he recently underwent a heart procedure which resulted in him being inactive in Bersatu.
His other reasoning is that he wants to focus on EMIR research, a think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations in which he is chief executive officer.
In his exit letter from Bersatu, Rais penned, “Although I am no longer a member of PPBM (Bersatu), I will still actively pursue my struggle for a better Malaysia – for the MANY based on five core principles, namely reforms, justice, inclusiveness, progressiveness and wasatiyyah (justly-balanced approach). This is what led me to co-found PPBM despite the monumental tasks ahead then.
Does the above statement from Rais an indication on the possibility of him contesting in the coming 15th general election? As a regular PKR member, there is not much he can do based on his promise that he would still ‘actively’ pursue his ‘struggle’ for a better Malaysia. Only an elected representative can truly do that.
“Yes, we can plan and there are plans. But one thing for sure, I will continue my pathways of speaking the truth to the powers that be without fear or favour based on data, science and economics.
“That is indeed my DNA – sometimes it comes with a heavy cost – but in the greater interest of the greater objective of re-building this nation of ours for the MANY, not for few,” he wrote.
It would be indeed interesting if Rais does contest and on which seat would it likely be so? Is this also why he left Bersatu? Perhaps Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had a hand in it? – Oct 13, 2022
Main photo credit: TV AlHijrah
