PKR polls see senior leaders defeated across seven states

Summary

• Senior PKR leaders among losers in seven states that have concluded division-level voting for the 2025-2028 term.

• Losers include assemblypersons, MPs and incumbent division chiefs.

Several senior PKR leaders were unseated in the party’s division-level election held across seven states so far, covering contests for the main division, women’s wing and youth posts for the 2025–2028 term.

The election concluded in Selangor, Malacca, Perlis, Perak, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Sarawak, with the process proceeding smoothly overall.

However, some high-profile names failed in their bid as challengers or to defend their positions.

In Selangor, among those who lost was Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, who was defeated in Shah Alam. Despite the setback, she remains in the fray for the PKR Women’s chief post, challenging incumbent Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

In Selayang, Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat failed in his bid to take over as division chief from Selayang MP William Leong, who vacated the post.

Over in Petaling Jaya, its MP Lee Chean Chung lost to incumbent Hee Loy Sian, a former MP for PJ Selatan, who retained his position as division chief.

Both Chua and Lee have separately appealed to PKR's election committee to review the results in favour of their opponents, citing alleged discrepancies.

In Kapar, a surprise upset occurred after former Kapar MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid failed to defend his stronghold. Out of 4,660 eligible voters, 3,020 ballots were cast.

Abdullah secured only 618 votes, while his rival Azizi Ayob won with 1,580 votes.

Abdullah’s defeat, despite his longstanding influence in Kapar, has fuelled speculation about a shift in grassroots support and changing political dynamics in the area.

Northern states

In Perak, Hulu Kinta assemblyperson Arafat Varisai Mahamad lost the Tambun division chief post to Shamsul Kamar Ani, garnering 1,233 votes against Shamsul’s 1,458.

Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan was also defeated by PKR Perak deputy information chief Novinthen Krishnan in the contest for the Sungai Siput division chief post.

First-time contender and Hutan Melintang assemblyperson S Wasanthee was unable to unseat Bagan Datuk incumbent R Manukaran, who defended his position.

Meanwhile in Kedah, Jerai hopeful Firdaus Johari, son of Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul, lost to S Poobalan, while Soferi Mohamad was elected deputy chief.

Former Kuala Kedah MP Dr Azman Ismail was defeated by Shakir Lukman Hakim for the division chief post, while former Pendang parliamentary candidate Zulkifly Mohamad lost his division chief post to Halim Khomiza.

Malacca, Perlis results

The party polls in Malacca saw Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim fail to win the deputy chief post for Hang Tuah Jaya, receiving 791 votes against Zamzizul Nordin’s 1,905.

Former Klebang assemblyperson Gue Teck was also defeated in a three-cornered contest for the Tangga Batu division chief post. Azlan Osman won with 609 votes, followed by Teck (568 votes) and Teh Wah Ning (198 votes).

Over in Perlis, state opposition leader Gan Ay Ling lost the Kangar division chief contest to state PKR chief Noor Amin Ahmad.

Perlis Pakatan Harapan election director and former Kuala Perlis assemblyperson Nor Azam Karap also lost his bid to retain the deputy division chief post to Nazman Omar by a margin of 78 votes.

The party’s branch-level polls for division, women’s and youth wings are scheduled to run from April 11 to 20. Voting for the central leadership council, national women’s wing, and national youth posts will be held on May 24.

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