Former PKR division leaders eye national posts after disputed losses

Summary

• Several former PKR division leaders who lost and contested the results due to alleged irregularities are now aiming for central leadership positions.

• Examples include Rodziah Ismail running for PKR Women chief, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad defending his vice-president post, and Akmal Nasir and Chua Wei Kiat vying for central leadership council positions.

Several former PKR division leaders who lost in the recent party polls and contested the results, citing alleged irregularities, have now shifted their focus to the central leadership race.

Former Shah Alam PKR chief Rodziah Ismail, who was defeated by Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Najwan Halimi, confirmed today that she has submitted her nomination for the PKR Women’s chief post.

The Ampang MP is making her second bid to unseat incumbent women’s chief and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who has also filed her online nomination papers.

Rodziah, a member of the PKR central leadership council, was previously speculated to be among the prominent names who disputed her loss and raised concerns over the audit findings, alleging that the division-level results resembled “bodies without a head”.

Many of the losing candidates were linked to incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who yesterday disclosed the findings of an independent audit into the PKR divisional and branch-level elections.

In a media statement, Rafizi highlighted several recommendations for improvements, which he said should be implemented by the party’s central election committee before the national-level polls on May 23.

Heated contest

Former Setiawangsa PKR chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad - who was unseated by actor-director Afdlin Shauki - has announced that he will defend his post as vice-president.

Nik Nazmi, who also serves as the natural resources, environment and climate change minister, had earlier submitted a protest letter to the election committee.

However, he later agreed to accept the second audit findings endorsed by the central leadership on Sunday.

So far, the vice-presidential race features all elected incumbents and several new challengers from the current central leadership council line-up, including Abun Sui Anyit, Hee Loy Sian, and R Yuneswaran.

The contest for council seats is expected to see the highest number of candidates.

Among those who had protested their divisional losses but are now vying for leadership positions are former Johor Bahru PKR chief Akmal Nasir and Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat.

Chua initially lost in his bid to lead the Selayang division but later secured a win in a re-election triggered by complaints over irregularities.

Others who have confirmed their nominations include Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, the prime minister’s political secretary Chan Ming Kai, and former education minister Maszlee Malik.

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