PKR elected reps in heated fight for S'gor divisions

Election fever hits Parti Keadilan Rakyat divisions in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur this weekend, with prominent party leaders slugging it out for the leadership.

Nine out of 21 Selangor divisions and all 12 FT divisions will pick their leaders this weekend, joining 61 other divisions nationwide in the much publicised direct elections.

Selangor, however, will see a more heated contest as most of the FT divisional chief posts are expected to be won uncontested.

The contest in Selangor is geared to be a more colourful affair, with some prominent PKR leaders finding themselves having to slug it out with up to four other hopefuls for the post of division chief.

Although up against less prominent party members, the four-cornered fight in Kuala Selangor will nonetheless be a test of grassroots support for Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (right).

The MB, who is said to be a contender for top party posts such as deputy and vice-president, has so far only qualified to contest for the vice-president's post.

He obtained just one nomination for the deputy president's post and will need one more to qualify, although whether he is truly interested in doing battle remains to be seen.

Khalid is less fortunate compared with PKR Federal Territories chief and contender for the deputy president's post, Zaid Ibrahim, who is the only person standing for division chief in Wangsa Maju.

Sunday will also see a showdown between two Selangor elected representatives, assemblyperson and deputy speaker Haniza Talha, who is challenging incumbent Petaling Jaya Selatan chief and parliamentarian Hee Loy Sian.

Caustic text messages, banners

Other elected representatives going head-to-head are Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail and Kota Anggerik assemblyperson and current Puchong chief Yaakob Sapari, who are vying for the top post in the Shah Alam division.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (left) faces a considerable challenge from three others for the top post.

She is contesting with her team, "Harapan Baru", which includes Darren Chua, the son of former Health Minister Chua Jui Meng, who is eyeing the division's No 2 post.

A tough fight is also on the cards in Kota Raja, where state executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar faces a challenge for the divisional leadership from S. Kottapan.

But Xavier is confident of keeping his post. He told Malaysiakini yesterday that the show of strength by Kottapan, with the use of caustic posters, banners and text messages, were "orchestrated by just a few people".

The Andalas assemblyperson, said to have full backing from Malay voters due to his strong relationship with PAS, will run with Sri Muda assemblyperson Suhaimi Shafie as deputy.

Party vice-president and Subang parliamentarian R Sivarasa is due to square off against four others for the Subang division chief position.

Tian Chua expected to cruise in

In the Petaling Jaya Utara division, state exco and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong is taking on three others for the number one post.

Wong is said to be tag-teaming it with Selangor youth chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, who is facing two others for the post of deputy division chief.

Batu MP Tian Chua (left), on other hand is widely expected to cruise to victory in the contest for division chief in a straight fight on Sunday.

However, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam is opting out of the contest for division chief, which is vied by six others, choosing instead to go against two hopefuls for the deputy post.

In Selangor next weekend, all eyes will be on the Kelana Jaya division where incumbent chief Syed Shahir Syed Mohamed is defending his post.

He will be running alongside Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, with both facing two others in the fight for the No 1 and 2 posts.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin will be fending off three others for the top post in that division while next door in Gombak, MP and assemblyperson Azmin Ali will go against veteran partyman Bakar Ninggal.

Azmin's running mate is Batu Caves state assemblyperson Amirudin Shari.

Also of interest will be the Sabak Bernam fight where newly-appointed Selangor PKR information chief and fiery cleric Badrol Amin Baharon will be defending his post as deputy chief.