PBM sec-gen eyes KL seat for GE15

 

Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) secretary-general Nor Hizwan Ahmad is eyeing one of five federal seats in Kuala Lumpur for the 15th general election. 

Online portal The Malaysian Insight quoted the former PKR member as saying that the five seats were currently held by PKR. 

"My target is multiracial seats in the federal territory. 

"We can narrow it down to PKR-contested seats. So we have Batu, Bandar Tun Razak, Lembah Pantai, Setiawangsa and Wangsa Maju," he reportedly said.

Nor Hizwan had previously served as political secretary to Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin when she was housing and local government minister in the Pakatan Harapan administration. 

Zuraida were among PKR leaders who defected to Bersatu and triggered the Sheraton Move in February 2020.

Nearly two years later, several of the former PKR leaders in Bersatu, including Julau MP Larry Sng, had taken the reins of PBM, which was founded as the Sarawak Workers Party. 

Further, Nor Hizwan reportedly said PBM wants to present a tough fight to Harapan and that there are cracks in the coalition’s component parties that are advantageous to PBM.

"Harapan, combined, may have the bulk of the votes, but as it is shaky (and its cooperation) is breaking up, there is an opportunity; the tide can turn.

"I am going to give DAP and PKR a run for their money," said the president of Zuraida-linked NGO Penggerak Komuniti Negara.

Beyond his personal target, Nor Hizwan said PBM will also allocate 30 percent each for youth and women candidates in GE15. 

"We will ensure these 60 percent are placed in the right seats so they can win.

"We will not field candidates just to fill a promised quota. We will put them (youth and women) in winnable seats, so they can become elected leaders," said Nor Hizwan.

At the same time, he said PBM is also open to exploring relationships with other political parties while maintaining support for the government of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Earlier this year, Sng reportedly said PBM is exploring the possibility of joining BN in anticipation of GE15, particularly filling the role of a multi-racial party. - Mkini