Maran PKR gears up for Luit, Kuala Sentul contests ahead of GE16

MARAN: The Maran PKR division has already begun laying the groundwork to wrest the Luit and Kuala Sentul state seats, anticipating multi-cornered contests in the 16th General Election (GE16).

Its division chief, Michael Sia Wei Lung, said this follows political developments in Negri Sembilan, as well as Barisan Nasional’s announcement in Johor that it will contest all 56 seats in the upcoming state election.

He said, during the recent Pakatan Harapan convention in Johor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is PKR president and PH chairman, had urged members to prepare for the possibility of a snap election with multi-cornered contests.

“We have to be ready for the shifting political dynamics in the country. Previously, there was an agreement to maintain the existing seat distribution formula, but recent developments have prompted us to be prepared for any outcome.

“The next six months are critical, as GE16 may be held. The Maran division election machinery meeting held today focused on efforts to strengthen the party’s operations at all levels,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Sia said both the Luit and Kuala Sentul seats, currently held by the opposition, are highly significant as they are not merely political battlegrounds, but are closely tied to the future of the people.

“Our message to all parties, including Umno, Pas, and others, is that we are not afraid of competition, not intimidated by challenges, and will never back down,” he said.

He said the Maran division has recorded a steady intake of new members, between 200 and 300 a month, placing it third in the country for new membership enrolment after the Indera Mahkota and Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituencies.

The Luit state seat was previously a BN stronghold until Pas secured victory in 2018 and retained it in the last general election, in 2023.

PKR first contested the seat in 2018, then again in 2022 but was unsuccessful.

PKR also contested the Kuala Sentul seat in five general elections since 2004, with BN emerging victorious before losing to Perikatan Nasional in the last general election.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times