For the first time in 15 years, intense competition is expected for top positions in the 13 PKR divisions in Penang, as candidates submitted their nomination forms at the Yayasan Aman in Penanti yesterday.

 

The fight is so intense that Penanti assemblywoman Norlela Ariffin will be contesting five top posts in Permatang Pauh - division chief, deputy chief, vice-chairperson, state women's deputy and vice-chief posts.

 

Incumbents, including two parliamentarians and several state assemblypersons contesting for division chief posts will be given a run for their money as they face competition in either two or three multi-cornered fights.

 

Nibong Tebal MP and state PKR chief Mansor Othman will be challenged by Sungai Bakap assemblyperson Makhtar Shapee and a member from the Indian community.

 

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin is up against Deputy Chief Minister and Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Rashid Mohd Hasnon ( left ) for the Bayan Baru chief post.

 

State executive councillor and Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Kassim is being challenged by former Penang Municipal councillor Ng Chek Siang for the Tanjung division.

 

Abdul Malik, who is state PKR chief, has held the Tanjung division chief post for three terms since 1999 and had never been challenged.

 

Others contests include Batu Uban assemblyperson Dr T Jayabalan who will be facing Gurdial Singh in Bukit Gelugor, while former state legislative speaker and Balik Pulau chief Abdul Halim Hussein will battle Pulau Betong candidate Mohd Tuah Mohd Ismail in Balik Pulau.

 

A total of 496,923 out of 500,001 members are eligible to vote in this party election which will be carried out from Apr 27 to May 11.

 

Mansor said the reason for so many challenges is because PKR is perceived as a party of the future.

 

"There are opportunities for serving the country, state and party due to the political landscape," Mansor said.

 

"Some may perceive this (intense competition) as not being good for the party but I firmly believe that after the election, people will consolidate because there is also some degree of political maturity among the members and leaders."

Mansor noted that there has been no trouble during the nomination day, not only in Penang but other states as well and this bodes well for the party elections.

 

"We can see that although the candidates may be aligned to some factions and have differences, they come and shake hands with each other at the nomination centre," he added, when met at Yayasan Aman.

 

He did not deny that there underlying factions or alliances but said  division elections does not determine the state line-up.

 

According to the constitution, the state chief's post is appointed by the party's president, who will determine the state lineup.

 

"When we first started out it was difficult for us to get people to contest for party posts or even the general elections - now we have many who are interested. It would be easy for us come the GE14," he noted.

 

'Healthy contests'

State exco member and Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin is happy to see the  contests which he regarded as healthy, as it shows that many want to contribute and be a part of PKR.

 

He himself is contesting deputy chief posts in the National Youth wing and the Permatang Pauh division.

 

"This healthy democratic process will definitely bring PKR to the level of maturity compared to 2010 when direct elections were first held," he added.

 

He praised outgoing state deputy chief Law Choo Kiang ( right ) for ensuring the nomination day was well organised.

 

Law, who is also Penang state legislative speaker, is not contesting any post and is the returning officer for the elections in Penang.

 

On state assemblymen like himself who are being challenged, Afif was asked if this showed that they may be perceived to have weak leadership qualities.

 

"It shows PKR is vibrant, that we are all at same level in party and don't see any YB, assemblyman or MP more superior than others," he replied.

 

"Campaigning and rivalry during contest is common, what we need is maturity after the elections. Everyone must come together and fight for the greater cause - reforms in the country which is more important than this party polls," he added.

 

He noted that in Penang, more young leaders and newer ones would emerge after the polls.

 

Afif said this would prepare them and the party for GE14 which is not due until 2018.

 

"We are serious in wanting to win all the state and parliament seats we contest," he said.

He lauded the practice of direct elections, saying the members have a say in who they want as leaders.

He added that this was a process where members would become more mature, and realise they have the responsibility to determine the party's future.

 

"If party is strong means members have chosen wisely and have selected the right persons to lead."