Ex sec-gen, Nik Aziz's son among new faces in PKR's GE15 candidate list

PETALING JAYA: PKR will field six personalities from various backgrounds and an undergraduate as new candidates representing the party in the 15th general election (GE15).

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they include former secretary-general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Zainal Azman Abu Seman, former vice-chancellor of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UnisZa) Datuk Dr Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan and Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz, a son of former PAS spiritual leader the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Also on the list are Universiti Malaya's senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Dr Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz; former Selangor Zakat Board chief executive officer Saipolyazan Yusof; and former Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) president Jufitri Joha.

"We also have a young candidate from among university students, 28-year-old Fathin Amelina Fazlie, for GE15," he said at a press conference here today on 'high-profile' candidates of the party.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said Zainal Aman and Nik Omar would be fielded in Perak, Hassan Basri (Pahang), Dr Noraishah (Federal Territory), Saipolyazan (Selangor), Jufitri (Negeri Sembilan), and Fathin Amelina (Perlis).

PKR-CANDIDATE 2 (LAST) PETALING JAYA

"The seats for these candidates will be revealed at a ceremony to announce PKR candidates this Friday (Oct 28)," said Anwar.

In GE14, Nik Omar contested on the Amanah ticket in the Chempaka state seat in Kelantan but lost in a three-cornered fight.

Meanwhile, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said the selection of these new faces was to meet voter demands for candidates who excelled in their own fields instead of regular politicians.

He said PKR's priority was to push the limit by fielding candidates from various backgrounds.

"I don't think this is a gamble ... because we take into account people's vision that they want to see fewer full-time political figures as candidates.

"No parties open nominations to the public (as candidates), but we did. The party wants to inject more credibility and fresh candidates," he said.

-- BERNAMA