Universiti Malaya (UM) student activists Fahmi Zainol and Adam Fistival Wilfrid are the latest additions to PKR.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar made the announcement at the party’s headquarters in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, today.

Fahmi said he decided to join politics to refute claims that youths who are against the government have no future.

“This called me to join a legitimate political body to fight for issues that affect the youths.

“I urge youths who are undecided to join PKR so that together we can save the country," Fahmi said at the press conference today.

Adam, on the other hand, admitted that he has never thought of joining PKR or any other parties before this.

Fahmi to head student bureau

“But I just couldn’t accept how the current government is going against all the things I have learned in school and in university.

“I chose PKR because it has taught me good administration and honesty,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said 24-year-old Fahmi ( left in photo ) has been appointed as the new chief for the Youth wing’s student bureau.

“I believe he will contribute to the party, having been one of those behind the global rise of students.

“We hope issues such as the cut in allocation for universities, (difficulty to obtain) scholarships as well as freedom in universities will be looked into by Fahmi," Nik Nazmi said.

He added that the party’s latest additions were proof of how PKR was engaging with the students directly.

Fahmi and Adam were among two of eight UM students who were penalised for organising a rally with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim last year.

As a result, Fahmi was suspended for two semesters while Adam was fined by the university.

Dr M's admirer

Fahmi was among the main movers of the rally held in October last year where students broke through UM's locked gates to hear Anwar speak.

Anwar’s talk, said to be a ‘farewell speech’ titled ‘From UM to the prison’ attracted 2,000 students and supporters despite the university’s attempt to block it on grounds it was not authorised.

Fahmi may have joined PKR, but it is interesting to note how he had, in an interview with Malaysiakini soon after the rally, admitted that he is a passionate admirer of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's thinking.

What he admires of Mahathir is his masterful ousting of Anwar as the then deputy prime minister.

The Penangite however said that this did not make him anti-Anwar for he chooses to remain critical of both sides.