Former leaders returning to PKR should not assume they will automatically be selected as candidates in the next election, said Federal Territories PKR chief Azman Abidin.
He said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to welcome back those who had previously left the party should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen PKR, rather than a guarantee that they would be fielded as candidates.
“The decision on candidacy remains subject to the party’s processes, with the final decision to be made by the president together with the central leadership.
“Under PKR’s constitutional process, candidates’ names must be proposed by the branches to the state leadership council, and subsequently to the president and central leadership council,” he told FMT.
Experience not the only consideration
Azman said the candidate selection process did not distinguish between veteran leaders, long-serving members, new faces or younger leaders.
Instead, their ability to win the seat would be a more important consideration than their experience, he said.
He was commenting on veteran PKR leader Tian Chua’s intention to return as an MP and his readiness to contest Batu again after claiming that he still enjoys strong support among voters in the constituency.
Tian Chua, who was recently accepted back into PKR after being sacked three years ago, acknowledged that the final decision rested with the party leadership as part of its election strategy.
Tian Chua served as Batu MP for two terms but was unable to contest in the 2018 general election after his nomination paper was rejected over a RM2,000 court fine.
He subsequently backed independent candidate P Prabakaran, who won the seat and later joined PKR.
Tian Chua was sacked from PKR in January 2023 after contesting Batu as an independent candidate in the 2022 general election against Prabakaran, whom PKR had selected to defend the seat.
Loyalty and teamwork remain key
Azman said a leader’s experience could be an advantage, but their past record and performance would also be assessed before any decision was made.
“For me, the most important things are loyalty to the party, the ability to work as a team, and upholding the principles and ideals of PKR’s struggle,” said Azman, who is also Anwar’s political secretary in his capacity as prime minister.
He also said leaders seeking to return to PKR were not necessarily doing so simply to secure an opportunity to contest in an election.
“I am confident that those who want to return are not doing so simply because they want to contest elections, but because they want to strengthen Anwar’s government,” he said.
“They want to see Anwar continue leading the country based on his capabilities and performance.”
