PUTRAJAYA - Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu says he is not afraid to face PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to capture the Tambun parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).
He said as a country that practiced democracy, he was prepared to face anyone.
"If PKR brought Anwar as a candidate for Prime Minister (PM), I will carry myself as the local boy fighting for the local people.
"I will not run away and will remain there come what may," he said when met by reporters after delivering his closing speech at the 2022 Global Youth Executive forum, here on Thursday.
He was commenting on the preparations to face Anwar who was a candidate in Tambun.
Asked about the incumbent Port Dickson MP’s statement that he was not an "outsider" in Perak, Faizal responded sarcastically.
"Many studied in America and went to Guantanamo Bay, but none of them became American citizens, do you have the right mind?," he said.
Meanwhile, he said Pakatan Harapan's (PH) true colours could be seen through the decision of the party naming the candidates from PKR.
"My experience in PH was exactly like that. When I sat down to discuss about the manifesto (about an issue) Amanah, PKR, Bersatu did not agree, but DAP included it in (the manifesto).
"Now I see that their attitude in naming a candidate from another party was an action of self-interest and that of PKR’s.
"That is the culture, and we are not surprised with their attitude," he said.
Faizal is the incumbent Tambun MP after winning 38,661 votes in GE14 which at that time he contested under PKR's ticket.
He defeated Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Pas’ Muhamad Zulkifli Mohamad Zakaria.
Besides Anwar, the Youth and Sports Minister was expected to face Tambun Umno division chief Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah as the BN candidate.