COMMENT Five years ago when PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim cast around for candidates to field in GE12, he had a frustrating time.

Several people of calibre he wanted to nominate proved reluctant to step up, a situation that compelled him to revert to not a few who turned out to be dubious choices that abandoned the party shortly after winning parliamentary and state seats.

Five years on from the PKR-led opposition's denial of a two-thirds majority to the ruling BN in 2008, the party faces a wholly different situation.

Though it is not exactly spoilt for choice in selecting candidates for GE13, the perception is growing that it has gained a rare find in Md Hashim Hussein, a former army chief who last night was announced as the PKR candidate for the parliamentary seat of Johor Baru...