Nazri Is "Serious" About Campaigning For Anwar To Help UMNO Take Back Putrajaya
He added that he is ready to face disciplinary action from UMNO for his stance.
By Jia Vern Tham — 14 Sep 2018, 01:12 PM
Yesterday, 13 September, Padang Rengas Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz announced his "serious" intention to campaign for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in an upcoming by-election for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat
"I don't foresee UMNO being in government in the near future but there is some common thinking among UMNO MPs that we should come back into government as early as possible," Nazri said.
Malaysiakini reported Nazri as saying that his decision is what is "best" for the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to return to power in the future.
He added that he is "serious" about campaigning for Anwar when Malaysiakini asked him if he was joking.
Nazri also said that the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) should be allowed to fulfil its plan to change the MP of the Port Dickson parliamentary seat
The Padang Rengas MP added that he will stick to his plan to campaign for Anwar regardless of UMNO's decision on contesting for the seat as he wants to do what is best for his party.
Nazri is also ready to face disciplinary action from UMNO for his statement.
He suggested his party to "show some goodwill" by not contesting in the Port Dickson by-election
"Fighting Anwar 'to the death' is not a form of goodwill. Even if UMNO wins the seat, we will still be in the Opposition, nothing will change," Nazri was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
The Padang Rengas MP also referenced the decisions made by PAS, MIC and MCA to not contest in Port Dickson.
"UMNO must look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves, if even PAS is not contesting, they know what it means to show some goodwill," Nazri added.
However, Nazri's plan for his party was met with dissatisfaction from UMNO supreme council member Lokman Adam
"Until now, Anwar is still attacking UMNO leaders, there is no reason to back Anwar," Lokman was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today yesterday.
Nonetheless, he ruled out disciplinary action against Nazri.
"Why take action against Nazri now when he has been supporting (Prime Minister Tun Dr) Mahathir Mohamad, which is worse than supporting Anwar?" Lokman added.