PASIR GUDANG: Outspoken PKR leader Hassan Abdul Karim has announced that he will not be defending his Pasir Gudang parliamentary seat, which he won in the last two elections, in the 16th General Election (GE16).
The 74-year-old lawyer stated that he had previously announced he would not be contesting in the party’s election.
“Why did I make this decision? The answer is simple because I am old, and I want to give the opportunity for other younger leaders to take over,” he said in his speech before officiating the Pasir Gudang PKR branch annual general meeting held here on Sunday (March 9).
He remarked that PKR’s journey in Pasir Gudang, where it has gained strength, was initially challenging due to the numerous losses and sacrifices endured by its members and leaders during the early years of its formation.
“Pasir Gudang constituency was created in the 2004 General Election. In that election, we contested and lost.
“In the following two general elections, in 2008 and 2013, Pasir Gudang PKR contested and again we lost,” he said.
Hassan added that Pasir Gudang PKR members, supporters and leaders never gave up. In the two general elections held in 2018 and 2022, the party won the parliamentary seat, which helped the party form the federal government.
In the 2018 General Election, Hassan won with more than 24,000 majority in a four-cornered fight, which included Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who was the Johor mentri besar at the time.
In the 2022 General Election, Hassan defended the Pasir Gudang seat and increased his majority to 31,558 in a three-cornered fight.
