PKR party polls: Chang Lih Kang, Abdullah Sani latest to announce race for veep position

SHAH ALAM - The PKR party polls slated this May is bound to heat up as more prominent names have thrown their hat into the ring to vie for several of the party's leadership post.

The focus now draws to PKR's coveted three vice president posts as more and more party veterans announced their candidacy.

The most recent is PKR Vice President Chang Lih Kang who stated that he will be defending his position in the party polls.

In a statement yesterday (April 4), Chang stated that having served the party since 2004, and being elected for two terms as the Teja assemblyman and now as the Tanjung Malim MP, he intends to continue to help the party in the coming 15th general election (GE15).

“I am grateful to the party leadership and party members. Therefore, I would like to contribute back by strengthening the party. With some experience as the party vice president since late 2018, I hope to help the party to achieve a win in the coming GE.

“Therefore in the coming party election, I would like to offer myself to compete for the vice president post. I humbly asked for the support of my fellow friends,’’ he said.

Chang also acknowledged that the party is going through a very difficult time, having navigated three state elections where they suffered huge losses.

While putting his trust in the party to be led by its president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Chang believed that the party election will inject much needed new elements and spirit to mend the party’s image.

Chang also said that the party needed a strong deputy president and stated his support for former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who is vying for said position.

“We will face GE soon. Apart from the charismatic, well respected by friends and foes alike, party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, we also need a deputy president that can help the president to handle elections.

“After the previous state elections, we need a general that has a strategy to lead Keadilan to win in the field of battle.

“Therefore, I chose Rafizi Ramli as my choice for the deputy president post. Rafizi is a sincere and battle tested leader. He has played an important role in helping the party win the 2018 election.

"I believe he could return the confidence of on-the-fence voters towards the party,’’ he said.

Similarly, PKR central leadership council member Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid has also announced his candidacy for the party’s vice president post, yesterday.

Abdullah Sani stated that he intends to run for the position and ensure that the party’s struggle for reform will continue while working towards straightening the party.

“I have made a decision not to defend my position as the central leadership council member.

“Instead I will contribute to the democratic process and the spirit of friendly competition and offer myself to contest for the vice president post in the 2022 party elections,’’ he said.

Abdullah Sani, who is also the Kapar MP, stated that while PKR and PH had previously won in the 2018 election, the infamous Sheraton Move have robbed them of the opportunity to carry out much-needed reforms.

He then urged all PKR members to unite and work towards strengthening the party.

PKR organising secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had also announced that he will be contesting for the party’s vice president post as well as Sentosa assemblymen and Kota Raja PKR division chief Dr Gunaraj George.

Similarly, Kuantan MP and PKR women chief Fuziah Salleh have also announced that she will be vying for the party’s vice president post.

The PKR elections will take place from May 13 to May 18, with nominations set for April 9.