KUALA LUMPUR: While there may have been some disappointment among grassroots PKR members that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia would be contesting the Semenyih by-election, it has since been resolved, says Selangor PKR leadership council chairman Amiruddin Shari.
“There were some who felt PKR should have contested the seat but, as it was contested by Bersatu in the 14th general election (GE14 last May), PKR grassroots members here do not feel too disappointed over the decision,” he said.
He added that the issue of PKR vying for the seat was not a demand made by the party’s grassroots there.
“We had to evaluate everything and we left the decision to the Pakatan Harapan presidential council.
“We must hold on to the principle of cooperation and this was the message I passed on to the grassroots here.
“The matter was brought to the presidential council which decided to continue the Bersatu legacy in Semenyih,” he said after announcing the soft launch of the Democracy Fest here Friday (Feb 8).
Amiruddin added that PKR members here will work hard to ensure a victory in the polls irrespective who was chosen as the Pakatan candidate.
On Wednesday (Feb 6), PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his party would give its full support to Bersatu in the Semenyih by-election.
The by-election is being held following the death Bersatu assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, on Jan 11.
There was a four-cornered fight for the seat in GE14 between S. Arutchelvan of PSM, Johan Abdul Aziz (Barisan Nasional), Mad Shahmidur Mat Kosim (PAS) and Bakhtiar.
Bakhtiar polled 23,428 votes to win by a majority of 8,964.
So far, Malaysian Society of Community Policing (CP) president Kuan Chee Heng, better known as “Uncle Kentang” or the “10-sen man”, has confirmed his candidacy for the seat.
Barisan, PSM and Pakatan have announced their intention to contest but have yet to name candidates.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed nomination day on Feb 16 while early voting will be held on Feb 26.
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