The Malaysian Insight

PENANG PKR needs a new state chief as soon as possible following the resignation of Nurul Izzah Anwar last month, said the party’s former deputy Youth chief Dr Afif Bahardin.

He said a new state chairman must be appointed immediately as Penang is a crucial Pakatan Harapan state, with PKR having to do its job as part of the state administration.

“There are many issues in this new year that involves the state party leadership. The state government operations also requires Penang PKR to give its views.

“If we do not immediately appoint a state chairman, then Penang PKR’s effort to play its role in the state government may be affected,” he said.

Dr Afif said some names had been proposed to the party leadership for consideration by Penang PKR division leaders, but declined to reveal more.

The Seberang Jaya assemblyman, who is also deputy chief of the Permatang Pauh division, merely said he was not among them.

“I hope whoever appointed as the new chairman will be able to administer Penang PKR properly and lead the 13 divisions.

“We have strength in Penang, as we won all the state and parliamentary seats we contested in the general election last year under the leadership of former state chairman Mansor Othman. Only Penang and Selangor PKR managed this.

“It will not be easy to maintain this track record. The person who takes over has to step up to the game and ensure Penang PKR delivers its promises and programmes,” Dr Afif said.

Last month, Nurul Izzah announced her resignation as PKR vice-president and Penang chairman, a position she was appointed to by the top party leadership headed by her father, party president Anwar Ibrahim. – January 7, 2019.