PD POLLS |Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng's criticism of Umno for not contesting in the upcoming Port Dickson by-election has left Mahdzir Khalid puzzled.

“Why is Lim so upset with Umno for not contesting? Does he not want (PKR president-elect) Anwar Ibrahim to be the eighth prime minister?” asked the Umno vice-president.

Mahdzir said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, should be delighted that Anwar has been given an obstacle-free route.

He was responding to Malaysiakini's interview with Lim, where the latter claimed that Umno's decision not to field a candidate in the by-election showed that the party does not fight for principles.

Mahdzir said Umno's decision could also be seen as assisting Pakatan Harapan to fulfill one of its election manifesto pledges.

“Appointing Anwar as prime minister two years after coming to power is part of their manifesto. They have failed to deliver many of their promises in the manifesto.

“At least, they would not blame Umno for not delivering on this promise (for Anwar to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad),” he added in an Umno Online report.

He also asked if DAP has an agenda that runs contrary to Anwar's wishes.

Dismissing Lim's criticism as well as the claim that Umno decided not to run due to fear, Mahadzir said the by-election is a Harapan political agenda and does not serve the interest of the people.

Previously, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would not take on Anwar since the by-election was forced and is a waste of taxpayers' money.

The Oct 13 by-election was called after the incumbent Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat to pave the way for Anwar's return to Parliament.