Penang PKR deputy chief Sim Tze Tzin also dared the five representatives who left the party to support Perikatan Nasional to stand in their same constituencies in the next general election (GE15).

He was confident that Penangites would not accept these “turncoats” in GE15 as it was not easy to forget the political hardship they had caused by switching to parties that the people had rejected.

Speaking to FMT on a news report saying Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin was eyeing PKR’s “crown jewel” Permatang Pauh held by Nurul Izzah Anwar, in GE15, Sim said the party was prepared for any challenge as this was only to be expected.

“We welcome any challenges from anyone. PKR will not only defend the seats it is currently holding but will also work very hard to take back seats that we lost to defectors in the state and parliamentary constituencies.”

Sim added that every election was competitive and the party would always respect the choice of the voters.

He hoped those elected would stay true to the people who voted for them.

According to a report in The Vibes yesterday, Afif, who is a former Penang executive councillor, is mulling contesting the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in GE15 but will leave it to the Bersatu leadership to decide.

“The people in Permatang Pauh, especially in Seberang Jaya, know who Dr Afif is.

“They have seen me working for them.

“Some politicians claim that they are working for the people. But the people know who is truthful and is available when they need help,” he was reported as saying.

Afif, who was the Penang state health executive councillor, defected to Bersatu in June last year, together with Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh). Nibong Tebal MP Mansor Othman was the sole PKR MP from the state to join Bersatu.

Those now in Bersatu who left Pakatan Harapan to join Perikatan Nasional include Khalid Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang).