The PKR Batu branch has unanimously proposed deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar as the backup candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat in the 16th General Election, should the branch chief not be selected to contest.
Branch chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said the proposal was put forward by branch members and passed without objection during the branch’s annual general meeting yesterday.
“Since 2008 until 2022, the seat has traditionally been contested by the individual holding the position of branch chief,” he said.
He added that for the upcoming general election, members proposed continuing this practice by giving priority to the branch chief to represent PKR.
“For the Batu parliamentary seat, party members suggest that the branch chief be given priority to contest on behalf of PKR,” Asheeq told Malaysiakini.
“However, if the party leadership has other plans, the branch recommends that the ‘Puteri Reformasi’ be fielded as the alternative candidate,” he said.
Current holder and party history
The Batu parliamentary seat is currently held by PKR representative P Prabakaran, who first won it in the 14th General Election as an independent candidate after Tian Chua’s nomination was rejected by the Election Commission, before receiving party backing.
In the 15th General Election, Prabakaran successfully defended the seat in a 10-cornered fight with a majority of 22,241 votes.
However, during the party election last May, he lost the branch chief position to Asheeq Ali.
Emphasis on reformist values
Asheeq said the support for Nurul Izzah reflects the grassroots’ desire for a candidate rooted in the spirit of reform and possessing a clean image.
“Branch-level members will only give full support to a candidate who is free from any perception of corruption and aligned with the party’s struggle principles,” he said.
“Parlimen Batu has a very long history and has been one of the main drivers of the reform agenda in this country,” he added.
Before the formation of PKR, the area was a stronghold of Parti Rakyat Malaysia.
He also referenced figures such as the late Syed Hussin Ali, a former deputy president of PKR, who contested the seat representing Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 1990, as a reflection of the area’s historical values.
“Due to this historical factor and the spirit of struggle, our branch believes that Parlimen Batu requires a progressive candidate who is not tainted by integrity controversies,” Asheeq said.
In the 15th General Election, Nurul Izzah lost the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat to a Perikatan Nasional candidate.
The eldest daughter of Anwar Ibrahim has also been mentioned as a potential successor to her mother in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in the coming election.
