By Syauqi Jamil
PETALING JAYA: It has been confirmed that PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim will be making his long awaited political comeback as he is set to contest for the Port Dickson Parliamentary seat.
Making the announcement at the PKR headquarters earlier, Port Dickson lawmaker Danyal Balagopal Abdullah had officially vacated his seat to make way for Anwar.
"I am now announcing my resignation as the Port Dickson MP with immediate effect. I have sent my resignation letter to the Speaker earlier today," he said.
While he expressed confidence that Anwar will win the Port Dickson seat, Danyal stressed that he will continue to serve the people of his former constituency regardless.
"I came to PD to serve and I will continue to serve. What I need is your (Anwar) backing. I will be the eyes and ears for the people of PD," he said.
Upon the resignation, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof will have to notify the Election Commission (EC) on the vacancy.
Upon the notification, EC will need to announce the by-election date within the next 60 days.
Danyal, a first term MP said he felt called to contribute in the transition of office for Anwar to be the 8th Prime Minister in accordance to the consensus agreement by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
He said Anwar being the next premier, succeeding from incumbent PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is instrumental for the reform movement that has since changed the political landscape.
Anwar who was serving prison sentence since Feb 10, 2015, was given a royal pardon by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and was released immediately last May 16.
On Aug 5, Anwar had won the PKR party presidency post unchallenged after receiving a majority of support from the party.
It was confirmed afterwards that Anwar will be making his political comeback by filling in a Parliamentary seat, though no particular constituency was named.
This was the first step towards his road to becoming the next Prime Minister, in taking over from incumbent premiere Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The deal was agreed by the Pakatan Harapan coalition prior to GE14 that took place in May.
