Permatang Pauh : Speculation grows over PM Anwar’s potential return!
Permatang Pauh: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to his ancestral hometown during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations has sparked intense political speculation about his future parliamentary seat, with the 16th General Election expected within the next 2 years.
Although, Anwar has visited Permatang Pauh on several occasions since becoming PM, Anwar’s recent engagement with the local community and reunions with old friends have led many to wonder if the Prime Minister intends to reclaim the seat that was his political stronghold for decades.
A Legacy Seat at Risk
The Permatang Pauh constituency has been synonymous with the Anwar family since he first entered politics with UMNO in 1982. During his periods of incarceration, his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, successfully defended the seat on behalf of the family. However, the stronghold was lost in a stunning upset during the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022, when Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was defeated by a PAS candidate. Nurul won the Permatang Pauh seat in the 2018 general elections but failed in her second attempt in 2022.
Currently, Anwar serves as the Member of Parliament for Tambun, Perak, a seat he won in 2022. Analysts suggest that Tambun may no longer be considered a “safe” seat for the Prime Minister in the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16), prompting a potential strategic shift back to his traditional base.
The “Prime Minister Factor”
Political observers believe Anwar is the only figure with the political weight necessary to wrest Permatang Pauh back from PAS.
“If Anwar returns to contest in Permatang Pauh, he is likely to secure an easy victory,” the report noted, adding that his return as a sitting Prime Minister would provide a significant psychological and developmental boost to the local electorate.
The potential shift coincides with broader reshuffling within PKR. Nurul Izzah, now Deputy President of PKR, is rumoured to be eyeing the Bandar Tun Razak seat in Kuala Lumpur, currently held by her mother, Wan Azizah.
Speculation suggests Dr Wan Azizah may opt not to contest in GE16 to allow a younger generation to lead, giving up the seat in favour of her daughter. Nurul could also return to her former seat, Lembah Pantai, which she won for 2 consecutive terms in 2008 and 2013. However, such a move would require careful negotiation to avoid displacing the current MP for Lembah Pantai, Fahmi Fadzil, who is also a cabinet minister.
As GE16 approaches, the Prime Minister’s “homecoming” to Permatang Pauh remains one of the hottest debates in Malaysia’s evolving political landscape.
P- 063 Tambun (Perak) (Anwar Ibrahim’s current seat)
Tambun is currently held by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He won this seat in GE15 (2022) by shifting from Port Dickson to challenge the incumbent, Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Bersatu).
GE15 Results (2022)
Winner: Anwar Ibrahim (PH-PKR) – 49,625 votes
Majority: 3,736 votes (Based on majority generally considered a “marginal” or “unsafe” seat)
Runner-up: Ahmad Faizal Azumu (PN-Bersatu) 45,889 votes
Third place: Aminuddin Hanafiah (BN-UMNO) 28,140 votes
(Note: it can be seen that Anwar’s victory was only possible because of the 3 cornered fight whereby the votes were split between Bersatu-PN and UMNO-BN. Together both coalitions polled a total of 74,029 votes, a whopping 24,404 votes more than Anwar Ibrahim.
Demographics & Key Data
Ethnic Breakdown: Malay (65%), Chinese (~20%), Indian (~12%).
Total Voters: 160,558 (as of 2022).
Characteristics: A large, semi-urban constituency with a significant civil servant and military presence (notably the Ulu Kinta police/army camp), making it a highly sensitive and competitive seat for any candidate.
P-044 Permatang Pauh (Penang)
Historically known as the “Anwar Family Fortress,” this seat was held by Anwar, his wife Dr. Wan Azizah, or his daughter Nurul Izzah for 40 years until the “Green Wave” upset in 2022.
GE15 Results (2022)
Winner: Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-PAS) – 37,638 votes
Majority: 5,272 votes
Runner-up: Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-PKR) – 32,366 votes
Third place: Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said (BN-UMNO) – 16,971 votes
Demographics & Key Data
Ethnic Breakdown: Malay (~74%**), Chinese (~19%**), Indian (~6%).
Total Voters: 107,186 (as of 2022).
Characteristics: A more homogeneous Malay-majority seat compared to Tambun. The loss here was a major symbolic blow to PKR, as the constituency had been the birthplace of the *Reformasi* movement in 1998.
(Pic: Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his recent visit to Permatang Pauh)
