BUKIT MERTAJAM – PKR will use two systems to select its candidates for the 15th general election, said PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said he wanted to quell confusion over the new website launched by his deputy Rafizi Ramli to accept nominations, and that it would be part of the party’s dual system to choose election candidates.
Speaking to the press last night after a DAP fund-raising dinner here, Anwar said the first system would be the “usual practice” of receiving nominations internally.
The other method, using the website, would be to accept nominations from outsiders.
Priority will be given to PKR members and to seat incumbents, Anwar added.
However, opening up the pool of candidates to others would give room to those from civil society, party veterans, or to anyone who wants to contribute. The platform is necessary to convince PKR that they are worth considering as candidates, Anwar also said.
“Of course, in our due process, the members come first. But we want to allow more participation in the name of democracy.
“So, perhaps some outsiders can be considered, especially if the party divisions also support them.”
To dispel any confusion, Anwar said that outsiders nominated must also undergo the same process as the party’s internal list of candidates.
They must be endorsed by the divisions, state and the central election committee, he said, adding that his role is just to oversee the process.
Rafizi, when launching the self-nomination website on Thursday, said it would help curb the “culture of bootlicking and apple polishing” that comes with choosing a party’s election candidates.
The deputy president called it a new political innovation that is part of reforms to remove the “warlords” factor in candidate selection.
He said the website is expected to receive at least 10,000 nominations for Parliament and state seats nationwide.
A check on the website revealed that among the terms to submit an application for candidature include being a Malaysian citizen, a PKR member, possessing academic qualifications from a recognised institution, not bankrupt; having no criminal record; being mentally and physically healthy, and not in debt with the party.
Additionally, the party will also include additional conditions that will be determined by PKR from time to time. – The Vibes, October 9, 2022
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