KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin is the last candidate to throw in his hat for PKR’s crowded vice-president race.
The party’s information chief submitted his nomination at 11.46pm last night – 13 minutes before nominations closed at 11.59pm.
His candidacy was seconded by Selangor executive councillor Borhan Aman Shah and Pahang PKR deputy chairman Rizal Jamin.
Shamsul became the 18th and final candidate for the vice-president race.
Asked about the last-minute inclusion, Shamsul said the vice-president post comes with the heavy responsibility of supporting the president and deputy president in anchoring the party.
“Notwithstanding the little experience I have, it is important to note that the position comes with a heavy responsibility, and I had to give serious thought before submitting, hence the 11th hour submission,” he told The Vibes, which chanced upon him at a hotel here, submitting his nomination online.
“When you go through the list, the vice-president post must be a blend of old and new.
“By offering myself – after a series of consultations with the president, party members and supporters, I believe I can help offer a group of working vice-presidents that are truly representative of the party members’ aspirations and expectations,” he said.
“This must be a working team to face the general elections,” said the former deputy primary industries minister.
Shamsul said he believes he has a good chance of clinching one of the four vice-president posts, as in the 2018 party election he came in fifth behind Nurul Izzah Anwar, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Tian Chua, and Datuk Xavier Jeyakumar.
“At the end of the day, it is up to the members to decide, and I trust the wisdom of the members in making the right decision for the party,” Shamsul said.
Shamsul will be contesting against Selangor menteri besar and state PKR chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Negri Sembilan menteri besar and state PKR chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Other candidates include PKR communications director and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Wanita PKR chief and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh; PKR chief organising secretary and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and incumbent Chang Lih Kang.
Others include Terengganu PKR chairman Azan Ismail, former vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, former vice-head of PKR Youth S. Thiban, Chuah assemblyman Datuk Michael Yek Diew Ching, Bukit Selambau assemblyman R. Summugam, and former Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.
Rounding up the list are former Perak PKR deputy chairman M.A. Tinagaran, Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai, former Kapar MP G. Manivannan, and Sentosa assemblyman G. Gunaraj.
The party elections are set for May 13. – The Vibes, April 12, 2022
