ALOR STAR – It was a disappointing day for PKR veterans in the northern region as three pioneering leaders lost their party election bids after results came in yesterday.
The biggest shocker was Kedah PKR chief Datuk Johari Abdul who lost his Sg Petani division to Bakar Arang assemblyman Simon Ooi Tze Min.
Johari had led Sg Petani PKR for close to two decades here.
It is believed that his inability to address the rampant plastic waste issues in the industrial township was compounded by PAS’ takeover of the state in 2020.
Ooi is a former Kedah executive councillor.
There was a three-cornered fight to lead the Sg Petani division, where Mohd Zaidi Othman finished third.
Johari is also seen as an ally to secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who lost the deputy presidency race to Rafizi Ramli by a wide margin.
In Penang, state executive councillor Dr Norlela Ariffin lost her Permatang Pauh Wanita chief post to her former special assistant Nur Syafina Ahmad Sabri.
Norlela, who is a family friend of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has been in the headlines due to her duties in helping the state manage the pandemic.
Her colleague in the Penang government, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein, failed to dislodge Bayan Baru PKR chief incumbent Sim Tze Tzin.
Halim was previously in Balik Pulau PKR and is a former state speaker as well as an ally of Rafizi.
In another development, a senior PKR leader, who preferred anonymity, said the results showed that members want internal reforms to take place.
“They can no longer tolerate infighting. It is time to change by embracing the new and out with the old.
“Saifuddin relied on the traditional mode of ceramahs and open houses to spread his messages whereas Rafizi’s group was more data driven.”
The party insider also felt that many in the party lost faith in Saifuddin due to the perception that he was fostering rapport with Umno.
“The neutrals in the party hope the results would first enable the party to close ranks faster unlike in 2018 and to gain some momentum ahead for the next general election.” – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
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