Pkr Info Chief Downplays Tensions Simmering In Harapan Over Idris Quartet

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PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin downplayed tensions brewing in Pakatan Harapan following an event last night that saw assemblypersons aligned to incumbent Malacca chief minister Idris Haron being warmly received.
Shamsul (above) said the function was merely a normal pre-election event organised by Malacca PKR to boost the party's campaign machinery, with the approval of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
"It was a normal pre-election event organised by Malacca PKR to drum up (campaign machinery and morale) ahead of the state election.
"Such events were organised in past elections for the party president to deliver his keynote address and provide guidance to the grassroots to face the polls.
"Of course, Idris and three others were invited to show they are part of it (the opposition)," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
The event last night drew flak after pictures surfaced of incumbent Pengkalan Batu assemblyperson Norhizam Hassan Baktee raising his hands at the event as those present gave him a "hero's welcome".
Norhizam is viewed as a traitor among DAP - who have curtly said they would reject him as a candidate.
He was previously a DAP assemblyperson but defected to help form the Umno-Bersatu state government.

He later turned against the Umno-Bersatu state government along with Bersatu's Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas), Umno's Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), and Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor).
Shamsul, who is also the Hang Tuah Jaya MP, said it would be unfair if the quartet was not treated well.
"They contributed to the fall of the state government. If we suddenly ignore them, that's not right too.
"I understand there were strong views concerning them from some of the leaders in Harapan. I am not defending anyone, but what I am trying to say is to look at it objectively. (Let's) try to be fair to them," he said.


Meanwhile, Shamsul also confirmed that the quartet expressed their intention to contest under Harapan's ticket in the Nov 20 state election.

He said the Harapan presidential council will meet before the Nov 8 nomination and make a decision on this matter urgently.
He also expected the presidential council to decide whether to contest using the coalition's logo or PKR's logo, as well as who should be their chief minister candidate.
"Every election has its own dynamic. This state election will decide the state government for the next five years.
"We have many aspiring (chief minister) candidates. So, I think we need time to go through one by one in order to choose the best candidate," added Shamsul.
Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng emphatically said Harapan would contest using the coalition's logo.
He also said Malacca Harapan chief Adly Zahari should be the chief minister candidate - citing Adly's good track record when holding the state government's top position from 2018 to 2020.
Shamsul's revelations, however, indicate that PKR has other ideas in mind, including continuing its push for Harapan to use his party's logo.
Shamsul was a previous chief minister candidate in 2018, but such hopes were dashed when he failed to win the Rim state seat.
He indicated that he was going to contest for a state seat again, expressing interest in the Paya Rumput constituency currently held by Bersatu vice president Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen.
Paya Rumput is one of six seats that Bersatu contested in 2018 when it was part of Harapan.
Shamsul said the coalition will discuss how to divide the seats among them. - Mkini

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