Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has pledged to stay loyal to PKR and actively campaign for the party in the upcoming 16th general election, even though he has decided not to defend his parliamentary seat.
Commitment beyond contesting
At 74, Hassan said he would continue working to secure a PKR victory in Pasir Gudang regardless of his personal candidacy.
“I will campaign for PKR in the general election, even if I am already frail. Can’t run, I walk. Can’t walk, I use a walking stick. But betraying PKR, never,” he declared in a statement.
He acknowledged having different views from PKR’s top leadership, including party president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, on certain matters.
Hassan described such differences as normal within “an open party” like PKR.
“Leaders can come and go, but PKR is hard to replace,” he added.
Context of recent party developments
His remarks follow statements from former PKR deputy president and economy minister Rafizi Ramli.
Rafizi told Sin Chew Daily that he intends to defend his Pandan seat in the next general election but is unlikely to do so as a PKR candidate.
He clarified that he has not left PKR due to the anti-hopping law, which could result in the loss of his seat if he quits mid-term.
Rafizi said he would reveal his political direction in June.
Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin observed that Rafizi appears uninterested in repairing relations with the current PKR leadership.
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