AYER KEROH: PKR has named seven new candidates for the Melaka election to strengthen the party's position in the state.
They will join two "old hands" in Wanita PKR information chief Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin in the Machap Jaya seat and Tangga Batu PKR Youth chief Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir in Klebang.
Acting state PKR chairman Adam Adli Abd Halim said the new faces being fielded bring different experiences and responsibilities, offering renewed hope for the party.
He said they were "winnable candidates" capable of challenging Barisan Nasional.
He said all candidates must work hard to earn voters' trust, as their chances of winning does not solely depend on popularity or a candidate's personal strengths.
Instead, he said, community ties, the strength of the party machinery and the effectiveness of the agenda being presented were among the key factors in determining voter support.
"Everyone contests an election to win. However, victory depends not only on name recognition or personal strengths, but also on ties with the community, an effective campaign machinery and the agenda being presented to the voters.
"Most importantly, they must make the interests of the community and voters their top priority," he said at the Madani Kita with the Ayer Keroh Community @ Hang Tuah Jaya Parliamentary Constituency programme at the Sungai Putat people's housing project here today.
Present were Community Communications Department director-general Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali and former Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee.
Adam Adli said PKR recognises that much more needs to be done to convince voters of the party's capabilities, including translating its agenda of change and reform at the federal level into tangible benefits for the people of Melaka.
He said the party's candidates must ensure that the principles of good governance and accountability to the people are reflected in their approach and work at the local level.
He also reminded candidates to maintain good conduct and personal integrity throughout the campaign period.
On Pakatan Harapan's decision to contest only 21 of the 28 state seats, the Hang Tuah Jaya member of parliament said this was made based on several considerations, including the party's strength, the readiness of its election machinery and its chances of winning.
He said PH needed to optimise its available resources by focusing on constituencies where its campaign operations and election machinery are better prepared.
However, he did not rule out changes in the remaining seven seats.
"We still have six days before nomination day, and many things can happen. I am confident that no seat will be left uncontested.
"We have never ruled out the possibility of negotiations and will see over the next few days what other decisions can be made," he said.
Among the new faces being fielded are the prime minister's political secretary, Datuk Azman Abidin, in the Paya Rumput seat, as well as Esma Eazreen Husin in Rim, and Mohd Khuzaire Mohd Kamal Kannan in Rembia.
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