PKR selected its 10 Sabah election candidates primarily on winnability, with party co-election director saying electoral strength outweighed background.
PUTRAJAYA: PKR’s 10 candidates for the Sabah state election were chosen primarily based on their winnability, according to party co-election director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He revealed that all candidates underwent thorough scrutiny by the party’s Election Committee before final selection.
The committee assessed multiple factors before approving the final candidate list.
Saifuddin addressed concerns about “parachute candidates” with histories of joining multiple parties or recent PKR entries.
He emphasized that electoral strength, rather than party tenure or background, served as the main selection criterion.
“PKR is inclusive, not exclusive,” he told reporters after the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Security Transformation Symposium.
“Some new entrants may contest, while even some who founded the party long ago have not been selected as candidates.”
He confirmed that every candidate was judged on merit and winnability rather than seniority.
The party is currently monitoring public response to the candidate announcements.
Saifuddin expressed confidence that the committee had reviewed all relevant aspects thoroughly.
“That is the nature of our politics,” he said regarding candidates with histories in other parties. – Bernama