After Penang dissent, PRM says endorsed Azman Shah for Permatang Pauh race

(Malay Mail Online) – Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) said it endorsed Azman Shah Othman as its candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election, amid objections from Datuk Gary Nair who “heads” its Penang chapter.

Its secretary general, Koh Swe Yong, said Azman Shah’s candidacy was supported by the party after recommendation by its northern zones and was agreed on by its central leadership.

“Nair’s statement as Penang state chairman denying Azman Shah as a party member, asking him to withdraw from the by— election is irrelevant,” said Koh, clarifying that Nair’s “Penang state chairman” position also did not exist anymore.

Koh said that the party has recently gone through a restructuring following its 46th national congress last November and had consolidated its Penang, Kedah and Perlis branches into a “North Zone”.

“Nair is no long Penang state chairman, having resigned from his position as committee member in Penang. Any statement he makes is only his opinion as an ordinary member, and not PRM’s stand,” said Koh.

Azman Shah submitted his nomination papers as a PRM candidate on Saturday and was declared as one of the candidates in a four corner fight for the parliamentary seat.

Shortly after, Nair called on Azman to withdraw from the by-election, alleging that Azman was not a party member and may not use the party flag and name.

“To us, a difference in opinion is common. After a decision has been made, all members of the party including PRM in the North Zone have to pull together their energy to help our PRM candidate,”

PRM used to be known as a Pakatan Rakyat ally, after having merged with the then Parti Keadilan Nasional to form Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in 2003.

However, several PRM members decided to remain within the party and in 2005, had formed an executive committee. The party has approximately 3,000 members nationwide and declared itself as a Pakatan-friendly party, supporting PR’s event and activities.