Storm brewing in Perak PKR following candidacy dispute

(The Star) - A storm is brewing over the PKR in Perak, following a dispute on the candidacy for the Kuala Sepetang state seat.

It is understood the Bukit Gantang division is furious over an announcement by party vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye that newcomer Sandrea Ng Shy Ching would be nominated as the PKR candidate for the seat.

The problem arose because nobody in the division knows anything about Ng, who is said to be from Endau, Johor.

Dr Lee had made the announcement during a press conference in Kuala Sepetang on Feb 21.

A party source said that having a non-local parachuting into the state constituency went against the wishes of the division members and was an indication that incumbent assemblyman Tai Sing Ng would be dropped from contesting in the general election.

“Dr Lee’s action is disrespectful to the current assemblyman,” the source said in an e-mail to The Staryesterday.

The source said the division, at its annual general meeting last year, had unanimously agreed to have a local from the constituency or a division member to contest the state seat.

“The division submitted its list of potential candidates for the Kuala Sepetang and Changkat Jering state seats in June last year.

“The division members hope the national leaders will take note of this and take the necessary action to diffuse the unnecessary tension,” he said.

Dr Lee could not be reached for comment.