GE14 | Like with Selangor, trouble seems to be brewing in PKR Penang over the 14th general election candidates list, as the days draw close to the nomination day this coming Saturday, Apr 28.

Yesterday, PKR supporters braved the sweltering heat in Permatang Pauh, with high expectations that the state's GE14 candidates list would be announced at the party's event, where PKR top brass – president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her deputy Mohamed Azmin Ali were present with the constituency's prospective candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar.

However, the announcement did not come as expected, as it is learned that party leaders are still unable to come to an agreement over the candidate list. The list is supposed to be finalised tonight.

PKR is contesting 14 seats in Penang in GE14 – two less than the last election, while DAP is contesting 19, Amanah, three and Bersatu, four.

According to party sources, the list that is being floated about sees many aligned to Azmin being dropped from contesting in this year's May 9 polls.

A source said that candidates proposed by PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, who has joined forces with Rafizi Ramli, and Nurul, who harbours the aspirations of her father jailed PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, have prevailed.

The proposed list, sighted by Malaysiakini, was sent to Saifuddin for comment, but the latter told party members to wait for the correct list.

When contacted, Saifuddin said he is currently in a meeting with Wan Azizah to sign the "watikah" (authorisation letters) for candidates.

He urged all quarters not to listen to rumours and wait for the official list to be out after the signing of the GE14 candidate approval letter.

Big names dropped?

Speculation is rife that several high profile incumbents, including two state executive councillors, would be cast off from this year's candidate list.

Asked to comment on this, state PKR chief Mansor Othman merely laughed, saying "It would all be known tomorrow."

Mansor, who would most likely recontest his Nibong Tebal seat, said the announcement of candidates in Penang would most probably be on Tuesday afternoon.

Mansor (photo) is Anwar's long time and hardcore supporter, and any attempt to dislodge him from his seat would be very tough.

"To those who are dropped, the struggle continues, they can contribute to the party in other capacities," said Mansor, once a former deputy chief minister.

"If all of us are upset and want to withdraw from the race, how to defeat BN?" he asked.

Saifuddin for DCM?

There is also speculation that Saifuddin (photo), the strategic advisor to Lim Guan Eng, is poised to be the next deputy chief minister should Pakatan Harapan recapture Penang, replacing caretaker DCM I Rashid Hasnon in Pantai Jerejak.

He is also being slated to take over the Islamic Affairs portfolio if incumbent state exco Abdul Malik Kassim is booted out of his Batu Maung seat.

Abdul Malik, a veteran PKR member and two-term assemblyperson, will most likely be replaced by former state assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussein.

Even the candidacy of former Seberang Jaya assemblyperson and incumbent state executive councillor, Dr Afif Bahardin, is said to be shaky due to his hardcore support for Azmin.

Based on the list, three out of the infamous PKR 5, who abstained from voting against an Umno motion on reclamation at the Penang legislative assembly, have been dropped.

They are Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah) and T Jayabalan (Batu Uban).

It is learnt that Ong, once touted as a "giant slayer" for defeating state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow in 2013, will be replaced by another "giant slayer" – Gooi Hsiao Leung, the incumbent Alor Setar MP, who defeated a then MCA minister and state party chief Chor Chee Heung in 2013.

Cheah, who clashed with caretaker chief minister Lim Guan Eng over the issue of flood victims in his constituency, will be allegedly replaced by former Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong, while Jayabalan seems resigned to his fate of being replaced by a newcomer.

Norlela Ariffin (Penanti) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok), also part of the PKR 5, have been retained in their seats, due to their sterling performance.

Former Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff was earlier rumoured to be making a comeback like Ong, but his alleged reputation of being an 'Azmin man' may work against him, said party sources.

Yusmadi, a local boy, was recently appointed Balik Pulau's coordinator, and told Malaysiakini that he was happy to accept being fielded there, if given another chance.

He would still be able to make a comeback if he gets the support of Nurul Izzah, as the PKR vice-president. She needs her team as well in Penang, to support her as she defends her father's seat in Permatang Pauh.

The seat is currently deemed no longer safe, as PAS and Umno have placed their candidates there.

List to be announced soon

When asked to comment last night, Azmin (photo) said Penang's list would be announced soon.

He conceded in any polls, party leaders would try to place their candidates and ensure their victory in their respective seats.

"Some names will be dropped, some transferred, for me, it's normal."

Ask about new faces in the Penang PKR line-up, Azmin replied that "most of the incumbents would be maintained as they are young and energetic and still needed by the rakyat."

As for 'parachute' candidates, Azmin said it does not arise as the party would ensure its candidates have integrity, are capable and would be accepted by voters, as each seat is unique.

Asked if trouble is brewing in Penang like it was reported in Selangor, Azmin said: "it's all baseless speculation."

"We managed to finalise most of the candidates, except for one or two seats," Azmin said when met after his ceramah in Nibong Tebal, which was attended by a big crowd.

"For these seats, we have to continue the engagement as we have to ensure the candidates would garner a bigger majority in the polls.

Asked if such crisis would jeopardise Pakatan Harapan's chances in GE14, as allies DAP, Bersatu and Amanah are using PKR's logo, Azmin replied in the negative.

"All parties are done with their candidate list and would not interfere with others, as that has been the practice for the last ten years," he added.