PKR unveils Nik Abdul Aziz’s son as GE15 Perak candidates

The party also revealed six other individuals including former civil servants, activists, corporate figures and academicians as the party candidates

by FAYYADH JAAFAR / pic BERNAMA

PKR will be fielding Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz (picture), the son of former PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, as part of its candidates for the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

According to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Nik Omar will be contesting in Perak and details as to which seat the latter will be contesting in will be known later.

Anwar said the decision to field Nik Omar as their GE15 candidate is right as he is a respected Islamic scholar with vast experience in the field of education.

Responding to Nik Omar’s membership, Anwar said there is no issue here because all the candidates are contesting for Pakatan Harapan.

The 57-year-old Nik Omar, who previously contested for the Kelantan’s Chempaka state seat under Amanah in GE14, lost in a three-cornered fight to PAS’ Ahmad Fathan Mahmood and Barisan Nasional’s Mohd Fareez Nor Amran.

Apart from Nik Omar, Anwar also revealed six other individuals including former civil servants, activists, corporate figures and academicians that will be contesting for the party during a press conference today.

Among them were former public service department deputy DG Datuk Zainal Azman Abu Seman (Perak), former Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan (Pahang), parasitologist and spina bifida patient rights advocate Dr Noraishah Mydin Abd Aziz (Federal Territories), former Lembaga Zakat Selangor CEO Saipolyazan Yusop (Selangor), former Malaysian Youth Council president Jufitri Joha (Negri Sembilan) and 28-year-old Fathin Amelina Fazlie (Perlis).

Asked about the specific seats where they will contest, Anwar said it would be announced on Friday.

Meanwhile, when asked if it is a gamble for the party to field relatively unknown non-party leaders as candidates, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said voters’ cynicism towards politicians and political parties will determine the outcome of this election.

“It is becoming very obvious that the biggest thing that will determine the outcome of this election is the public cynicism towards politicians and political parties. That’s why more and more voters feel like they would not rely exclusively on political parties but will also put more weight on the ability and the freshness of the candidates.

“So, if any parties choose to rely on party hierarchies exclusively or full-time politicians without much credibility to the extra knowledge they bring to the administration or parliament, I think we cannot combat the cynicism. It is to take heed of the voter’s wishes to see not just fresh faces but more professionals, to see fewer full-time politicians taking an active role in politics,” he commented.

Agreeing with Rafizi, Anwar highlighted that having a person with disability leader such as Noraishah Mydin on the political stage is also symbol of PKR’s commitment to raise the contribution of disabled people and women in society.