PKR Youth sticks with Anwar as PM candidate
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Without any surprise, PKR Youth (AMK) has named Anwar Ibrahim as their candidate for prime minister despite his current jail sentence for sodomy.
PKR Youth leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the 69-year-old Anwar’s previous experience as finance minister from 1991-1998 is proof of his capability as prime minister.
“Without a doubt, AMK want to propose to the other parties and Pakatan Harapan that we name Anwar as the next prime minister candidate in the next general election,” he said in his speech during today’s AMK assembly at Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC), Shah Alam today.
PKR has previously floated the idea of either party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail or party deputy Azmin Ali as potential prime ministers should the opposition win in the next general election.
Nik Nazmi also mentioned in his speech that PKR youth will fight for the abolishment of the National Higher Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and introduce a better alternative.
“We will fight for the abolishment of PTPTN and shape an alternative that not only centers around free education and the financing of poor and middle income students but also take into account in reducing the cost of running a university,” he said.
Nik Nazmi also said the majority of voters in the last election felt disappointed on the progress of the opposition and that it was a tragedy that they have missed the the opportunity to take over the government.
“The ‘thick’ mentality of the opposition has caused us to fail in managing our differences maturely, giving out a vibe to the public that we are unfit to govern the country,” he said.
Nik Nazmi added that he recognises that Malay support has been dwindling due to the separation of PAS.
“If we look back in 1999, when PKR was formed, this issue (dwindling Malay support) has been brought up before.
“At that time, PKR wanted to be a multi racial party that is supported by the Malays, that is why Umno and PAS was seen as strong because they were solely supported by the Malays.
“But let us not forget that the Malays also want justice. The real problem affecting Malays is that they do not have justice,” he said. – May 20, 2017.