Malaysia needs a reformist, clean and fair leader like Maria Chin Abdullah badly, according to PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

She said the former Bersih chairperson's decision to contest in the coming general election would boost the morale of Malaysians.

Maria, who resigned from the electoral watchdog yesterday, has decided to contest under Harapan without joining any of the opposition coalition's four parties.

Zuraida, who is also the MP for Ampang, said Maria has made the right choice to step into the political arena.

“We look forward to seeing her in action. It is with pride that we congratulate and welcome her into our Harapan family,” she added in a statement.

The PKR leader said Maria represents those who hunger change, transparency and good governance.

“With her previous platform in Bersih, she has already proven herself as worthy to be our people's representative,” she added.

Furthermore, Zuraida said a credible leader like Maria would also elevate women's participation in parliament and take our struggles to even greater heights.

“Maria is also a popular and well-known public figure who has been under police scrutiny for doing something right.

“She and her family have even received death threats and had her car windscreen smashed. If she was not someone Umno-BN feared, such things would not have happened,” she added.

Maria's decision to contest in the election has invited criticism from various quarters, with BN claiming that it proves Bersih is just an opposition tool.