Changing MPs, seats hurt PKR's grassroots and loyal voters

SHAH ALAM – PKR’s decision changing MPs and seats is like a card game which is not only hurting the party's grassroots, but also frustrates loyal voters of the party.

The party’s former vice-president Tian Chua said the party has to be careful not to lose its base while putting together its strategy to attack its opponents.

“One of the core criteria for choosing candidacy is the ability to build strong connections with the constituency.

"My biggest fear is that this quality is slowly fading away among our legislators (MPs),” he said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tian Chua viewed that the list of candidates should have been more inclusive to reflect the diversity within the party following the announcement of the list of PKR candidates contesting in the 15th General Election (GE15) on Friday.

He said after the announcement, many were disappointed with the selection of candidates.

"As I am currently not part of the party’s leadership, I am not privy to the detailed process of the selection of candidates.

“Certainly, any form of selection would not satisfy everyone. It is understandable,” he said.

He added that it was accepted that there will never be a perfect system for the selection of candidates.

However, he said the party must be very mindful and could not afford to ignore voters’ reaction and sentiment, especially during the election season.

He also reminded all candidates that their responsibility was to speak up for their constituency and represent the interests of the voters.

“Don’t treat the voters in the constituency as a ticket to the parliament (or power). MP is not a privileged class, but servants of the people.

“As MP, we live among the voters and the community is a part of our life,” he said.