In spirit of Reformasi, PKR won't nominate candidates for royal titles

PKR will not be nominating or endorsing political candidates for titles from the various state palaces, said its treasurer-general Lee Chean Chung (above).

He told Malaysiakini that the decision was made during the party's central leadership council meeting last night.

“In the meeting, (PKR president) Anwar Ibrahim said we are a 'reformasi' party, so we will not nominate names for such titles.

“Furthermore, one should not enter politics for fame,” he added this afternoon.

According to Lee, PKR received requests from the state palaces to nominate names for titles after Pakatan Harapan won the last general election.

However, he said the party's elected representatives would be allowed to make their own decisions as to whether to accept or decline titles from their respective state palaces.

“If the sultan wants to confer titles on our elected representatives, then it is up to the latter to decide. Look at the situation in their respective states,” he added.

Asked on the leadership's stand if other Harapan component parties want to nominate a PKR candidate for a royal title, Lee said this was not discussed during the meeting.

For the record, of the four Harapan parties, DAP is the only one which issued a directive that its members can only accept royal titles after retirement from active politics.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said party leaders should prioritise service for the people instead of chasing after titles like the previous administration. - Mkini