Last Updated: 1:39pm, Feb 18, 2014

PETALING JAYA (Feb 18): Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s survey on voter support in the Kajang state constituency has shown that 26% of the voters  are with them (PKR) while 17% are hardcore BN supporters.

Speaking at a press conference today, the party’s director of strategy Rafizi Ramli gave the demographics when asked if the voters there could accept the resignation of PKR's Lee Chin Cheh to pave the way for the by-election.

“The survey is quite clear  ... only 17% disagree with Lee's resignation. From the profile of the 17% it is clear that they are hardcore BN supporters. Another 21% of the respondents showed curiosity over the move and what Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can bring to Kajang.

“Our own supporters constitute around 26% of the population and the final 26% are not really affected or really care about what’s going on. The final 10% either don’t know what they’re going to do or won’t tell.

“The rest will cast their ballots when the time comes,” explained Rafizi who studied the responses of 361 Kajang residents.

He explained that the figure was based on the national polling system and statistics where 360 respondents were considered enough to represent the entire Kajang voting population and any more respondents will not change the statistical figures much, only by a plus-minus of around 5%.

Anwar, the party’s candidate and Opposition de-facto leader who was also at the press conference said that whatever it is, the priority must be on the Kajang residents themselves.

Anwar highlighted that Kajang is still very much faced with local issues where the major concern lies with crime and safety (42%) and traffic congestions (38%). This is followed by cleanliness and garbage collection (30%), social ills (20%), welfare for the poor (16%), petty traders and hawkers (12%) and Kajang Municipal Council services (11%).

“Based on my interaction and experience with the residents there, we have found three major issues plaguing the residents of Kajang. The first is the crime issue which is reflective of the national fear, the second is traffic congestion and finally are health and cleanliness issues,” said Anwar.

When asked whether his presence there will assist in the Kajang Municipal Council stand-off where the Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi is at an impasse with the Councillors, Anwar said he has spoken to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim over the issue but did not divulge more.

Zaid is not a factor

Touching on whether Datuk Seri Zaid Ibrahim’s candidacy will affect him, Anwar believes that the battle will not be between him and any independent candidate but the battle-royal against BN’s candidate.

“I think the battle will be with a BN candidate. The issue is what the BN candidate has to say. It’s more of a battle between BN the candidate and myself and not the independent candidates.

“I don’t underestimate any candidates but realistically with the funds, media hype we have to acknowledge that once BN announces their candidate, they will go full fledge to redeem themselves in Kajang,” he explained.

When pointed out that Zaid has claimed that Anwar is “invincible”, the latter pointed out: “I never said I’m invincible or over confident. Otherwise I won’t be there every other day. I’m realistic enough to acknowledge the decision to be made by the voters.

“Let the Kajang voters decide.”

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