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Pro-Anwar group split on fielding of ex-Umno leaders in Melaka polls

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One member says Otai Reformis feels aggrieved while another says the strategy will split Umno votes.

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Free Malaysia Today
Idris Haron and Nor Azman Hassan will represent PKR and Amanah respectively in the Nov 20 Melaka election. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:
Pro-Anwar Ibrahim group Otai Reformis is split over Pakatan Harapan’s decision to field two former Melaka assemblymen in the Nov 20 state election.

Yesterday, Anwar announced that former Melaka chief minister Idris Haron will stand as a PKR candidate, and Nor Azman Hassan as an Amanah candidate, in the polls.

Idris and Nor Azman are two of the four Melaka assemblymen who triggered the election after withdrawing their support for chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali on Oct 4.

Otai Reformis member Mohd Fadzlie Mohd Hassan said Idris was a political veteran, “but we don’t feel so good about him joining PH under PKR”.

Free Malaysia Today
Mohd Fadzlie Mohd Hassan.

“Personally, I feel aggrieved, and so do many others in our WhatsApp group, which is filled with questions.

“However, it is a joint decision taken by the PH presidential council, so we have to conform. But they have to take responsibility for whatever happens after this,” he said, referring to the possibility that the duo might switch alliances after the election.

Another Otai Reformis member, Mohd Rashidi Mohamed Amin, however described the decision to field the duo as a “strategy” to split the votes among the various camps of Umno supporters.

He said Idris and Nor Azman were brought into the fold to “pose a strong challenge in the seats they will contest in”. Idris will stand in the Asahan seat while Nor Azman will defend his Pantai Kundor seat.

Crucially, Rashidi said, the duo had provided PH with “many secrets” about the weaknesses of the previous government.

Free Malaysia Today
Mohd Rashidi Mohamed Amin (centre) with other Otai Reformis supporters.

“They have revealed the cost of previous projects which went to cronies and have hurt the people of Melaka,” he claimed.

“They are fed up with the issue of corruption in the state.”

Mohd Fadzlie and Rashidi were among those who attended the launch of two books by DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu at a banquet hall here today – People Before Self, and A New Dawn Shattered: Arise A New Phoenix.

DAP leaders were absent at the PH event yesterday to announce the coalition’s candidates for the Melaka election, but Liu said he did not want to read too much into the issue.

“I will term it as a miscommunication, misunderstanding or, maybe, a disagreement,” said the Sungai Pelek assemblyman.

“It can be resolved and it should be overcome.”

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