Wan Azizah quits, Anwar to contest (Update 2)
Thursday July 31, 2008 MYT 4:00:29 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has quit as Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament to make way for husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election.
She handed her resignation letter to Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on Thursday, she said at a press conference here on Thursday.
She will remain as party president, she added.
Anwar, under a police investigation for allegedly sodomising a former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, had previously said he would contest in the Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentary constituency, where an election petition is pending.
The case is scheduled for hearing on Aug 19.
On Thursday, Anwar said he had decided to contest in Pematang Pauh instead because the Kulim petition might take too long to settle.
He had previously said that he would have the numbers to form the government by Sept 16, and said the sodomy allegation was a conspiracy the Barisan Nasional Government to stop him from doing so.
He has denied the sodomy allegations and has filed a defamation suit against Mohd Saiful.
Also on Thursday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar announced that the police had wrapped up their investigations into the sodomy case, and have sent their report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
The Election Commission is required under the law to call for a by-election within 60 days. Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the Commission would start preparing for the by-election upon receiving notice from the Speaker.
Anwar to contest Permatang Pauh
Jul 31, 08 3:16pm
De facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today announced that he will contest a by-election in Permatang Pauh, which will be vacated by his wife, party leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Wan Azizah told a packed press conference this afternoon that she will be resigning her position as member of parliament for the seat but will retain her post as PKR president.
“I have submitted my resignation letter to House speaker today,” she said.
Anwar, who is seeking a parliamentary comeback after an absence of 10 years, has been shopping for a seat to contest after the expiry of a five-year ban from active politics.
The Election Commission will be required to call a by-election within 60 days.
Wan Azizah lepas Parlimen Permatang Pauh
31/07/2008 3:44pm
KUALA LUMPUR 31 Julai – Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini mengumumkan beliau akan bertanding di kawasan Parlimen Permatang Pauh yang dikosongkan oleh isterinya, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail berkuat kuasa hari ini.
Pengumuman dibuat pada sidang akhbar di ibu pejabat parti itu di sini sebentar tadi.
Dr. Wan Azizah merupakan Ahli Parlimen kerusi itu sejak pilihan raya umum 1999 iaitu selepas selepas Anwar dipecat daripada parti dan kerajaan setahun sebelum itu dan dihadapkan di mahkamah.
Kini Dr. Wan Azizah merupakan Ketua Pembangkang di Parlimen.- The Star.
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