BUTTERWORTH: Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah said he was just as surprised as everyone else when his name was announced as Barisan Nasional candidate for Permatang Pauh.

The 52-year-old full-time politician expressed confidence that, with multi-racial support, he would be able to wrest the seat for the coalition, although "maybe not with a strong majority".

Arif Shah said he knew his opponent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and admired his certain abilities but was not overwhelmed by him.

"He is good. But God gives us fingers and every finger has its function. Anwar can be good in one thing but not that good in others.

"Anwar said he could win if he contested anywhere. Let him look elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur where he normally interacts. This is not the place for him to offer himself. The people of Permatang Pauh needs a service-oriented representative," he said.

On his dual role as assemblyman and MP if elected, Arif Shah said he did not foresee any problem as Penang at the moment had assemblymen who were also MPs, such as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his deputy Dr P. Ramasamy.

As the sole Barisan assemblyman in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary constituency, Arif Shah said he had not only focused his energy in his own state constituency over the past five months but had also served the people of Permatang Pasir and Penanti.

"I'm not an MP, but I'm already providing service as an MP. It is already a routine and I don't find it tiring. I live a simple life and my interest is to serve. This is a hobby of mine, and I enjoy it when I can solve a problem," he said.

Arif Shah said Permatang Pauh had been under a "curse" for nearly 10 years and it is time for the curse to be lifted: "The people of Permatang Pauh have given Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail a chance for nine years but there is no close relationship between her and the people."