No election nomination for weak PKR branches, says PM Anwar

JOHOR BAHRU (April 5): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that he would not sign any election nomination papers if he was not confident that a party branch was in a good and stable condition.

Anwar, who is also the PKR president, said the matter was important as the struggle of the party that has gone through various challenges and internal strength is the main basis in determining success.

“This is about the struggle of the party. We have gone through the tumultuous struggles, but in the end, internal strength is what determines,” he said when speaking at the Johor Keadilan Convention here today.

Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil who is also PKR information chief, PKR vice president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Johor Keadilan State Leadership Council (MPN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

He said the record in Johor proved the party’s strength when it managed to win many parliamentary seats, thus showing that the true measure of strength is the support of the people.

The Prime Minister said the selection of candidates must be done carefully and through negotiations with partners in the coalition including Pakatan Harapan (PH), but the party’s stance cannot be compromised despite facing weak performance in some states.

He said that branches that are not performing well should not claim seats, but rather need to strengthen the machinery at the grassroots level.

“We know that in elections, talking can be great, theories abound, strategies sophisticated, but if the strength below is par, we will fail,” he said.

In this regard, he reminded that positions such as branch head, women’s head or youth head are not guaranteed of becoming candidates.

“It is not automatic. Those who become candidates are those who work with dedication and are able to win the party,” he said.

Recalling the tough challenges the party had gone through in the past, including incidents of ceramah being disrupted and attacked, Anwar said it was a reminder for party members not to be complacent with the current comfort.

“We have been stoned, blocked and expelled, but now we no longer face that situation. However, the spirit must not fade away because of a sense of comfort,” he said.

Anwar said the party needed to continue to set a good example and remain a reformist party with integrity to defend its position and the people’s trust.

Earlier, Zaliha said the party had identified 28 potential state seats to contest in the Johor State Election which is expected to be held in the near future. – Bernama