PETALING JAYA: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has confirmed he will defend the PKR vice-president post.
He is one of the eight candidates to have submitted nomination papers for the post.
The other candidates are Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang; Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan; Dr Sathia Prakash Nadarajan; Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin; Selangor exco member Hee Loy Sian; Senator Abun Sui Anyit and Segamat MP R Yuneswaran.
Nik Nazmi, who is also Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, previously lost the Setiawangsa division chief post in the recent division polls.
"The party elections this time is not a matter of competition but is a huge mandate to ensure that the Reformasi idealism continues to live on especially when we are being tested with power," he said, referring to PKR's current position in the ruling government.
Describing himself as a strong party man who puts the party and nation’s interest above everything else, Nik Nazmi said the party and the government need stability.
"I joined the party when I was 19 years old as I believed this was the best platform for Malaysia. Since the early days as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's private secretary, I have been with the party through the trying and difficult times.
"I have never taken the easy way out," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 8).
Nik Nazmi said he also understood concerns of party members on the recently concluded division polls, adding he had raised the issue several times and believes the existing system has to be improved.
The Setiawangsa MP also made three offers to the party members if elected, namely to continue the Felo Keadilan programme, strengthen the political education system and prepare the party machinery for the upcoming general elections.
"GE16 will be the determinant. The country is at a crossroads. We are facing a wave of political hatred which can divide the people," he said.
He said the party must prioritise the people and field the right candidates.
Nik Nazmi, failed to defend the Setiawangsa division chief position, losing to filmmaker Datuk Afdlin Shauki.
