[UPDATED] PKR’s new website allows members to nominate themselves for GE15

KUALA LUMPUR –  PKR kick-started its preparations for the 15th general election (GE15) with the launch of the website which allows aspiring party members wishing to contest a chance to submit their candidacy for the national polls.

The party’s deputy president Rafizi Ramli said interested party members may register their details at www.calonkeadilan.org with PKR expected to receive at least 10,000 nominations for various Parliament and state seats nationwide.

Speaking at a press conference, today, at the party’s headquarters, Rafizi said this would ensure that the prevalent culture of bootlicking and apple polishing prevails would be eradicated in due time.

“The selection process aims to remove the subjectivity and focus on the objectivity of the candidates instead.

“We hope that this move by PKR will be a new political innovation in the country,” he said.

The move by PKR, he stressed, will remove the “warlords” factor, especially when it’s close to the elections.

“That is the risk that we bear with this move to reform the political culture in this country.

“It is our belief that if we do not remove our political subjectivity in the selection of candidates, we will continue to perpetuate the culture of brown-nosing and apple polishing...and we remove talent and service from politics.

“We have lived the last 60 years, where a person will become a party candidate, and eventually can rise to become a senior minister, only by ‘apple polishing’ the top leaders.

“It doesn’t matter what his talent is. It doesn’t matter; his track record among the public is. 

“It doesn’t matter if you hardly ever hear them speak about anything. But they become senior ministers,” he said, adding that this is why the most viral and popular content on social media involves politicians and ministers making a fool out of themselves. 

The move, he pointed out, was also made based on a study of voting patterns and shifting sentiments in the last two years, which was conducted by a PKR research outfit.

The website, which was launched today, is to be online until next Thursday (October 13).

Rafizi, however, pointed out that if Parliament were to be dissolved tomorrow or next week, the party would be closing its entries earlier.

A check on the website revealed that among the terms to submit their application for the candidature included being Malaysian citizen; a PKR member; possessing academic qualifications from a recognised institution; not bankrupt; no criminal record; mentally and physically healthy and not in debt with the party.

Additionally, the party would also include additional conditions that will be determined by PKR from time to time. – The Vibes, October 6, 2022