Negeri PKR undecided on senator candidate following objections to MB's pick Rafizi

The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly is expected to table a motion to recommend only one of two senators as the state's PKR has yet to finalise its candidate, according to sources.

This comes after the local divisions objected to state menteri besar Aminuddin Harun's proposal to appoint former PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

"We can only recommend one (senator) today, PKR has yet to come out with its candidate," said a highly placed source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Aminuddin wanted Rafizi, but the local divisions said 'no'. These divisions have their own candidates,” said the source.

Meanwhile, a PKR state leader confirmed that his party has yet to decide on its senator candidate.

However, he believed that Rafizi's name is unlikely to make the cut.

Meanwhile, state executive councillor and state DAP political education bureau director Choo Ken Hwa confirmed the state DAP recommended its vice-president AAN Kesavadas as senator.

"We will table (the motion to name Kesavadas) in the second half of the sitting today," he told Malaysiakini.

Aminuddin tabled the state's 2019 Budget this morning in the sitting, which commences today and will end on Wednesday.

Choo, who is also Lukut state assemblyperson, however declined to elaborate what had transpired in relation to the appointment of another senator.

"It's better for the state's PKR leaders respond," he said.

Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Aminuddin and Rafizi for comment.

China Press today reported that the move to nominate Rafizi was PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim’s way to pacify him following his loss in the party’s deputy presidency race against Azmin Ali.

The daily reported that the state exco objected to naming Rafizi as senator when Aminuddin brought up the matter.

However, Sinar Harian had yesterday quoted the menteri besar denying that the state executive council opposed to naming Rafizi as senator.

"Who said the exco members opposed it? All of them agree, inshallah (God willing)," he said.  -Mkini