PKR de factor leader Anwar Ibrahim and party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail have no problems with Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah standing as a PKR candidate in the 14th general election (GE14) said a source.

Dr Wan Azizah was also keen on the idea of Maria representing the voice of civil society in parliament, said the source.

“Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah were positive about the idea of Maria standing in a safe seat on a PKR ticket.

“This is almost confirmed. The majority of those in PKR have agreed with this suggestion,” the source told The Malaysian Insight on condition of anonymity.

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insight reported Maria is expected to resign as Bersih chairman within two weeks to enable her to stand as a candidate in GE14.

She plans to stand in a “safe seat” as a PKR candidate, a source within the electoral watchdog told The Malaysian Insight.

In a statement yesterday, Maria said she has yet to decide whether to stand in GE14.

Another source told The Malaysian Insight PKR will hold a meeting with Maria before any announcement is made.

“We will discuss in greater detail with Maria.

“When everything is clear, we will make an announce,” said the source.

Last week, the New Straits Times reported Maria could be eyeing the parliamentary constituency of Batu or Petaling Jaya Selatan, whereas lawyer and social activist Ambiga Sreenevasan was said to be standing at Kapar or Segamat.

Ambiga, however, dismissed the report and told The Malaysian Insight she was “not interested” in politics.

Maria has been an active member of the activist circle in Malaysia for the past three decades, focusing much of her work to women’s rights.

In 1993, she married fellow activist Yunus Ali, who was once detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the 1980’s.

Maria was also once detained under the draconian Security Offences (Security Measures) Act, or Sosma, on November 2016 when she was placed in isolation for 10 days. – February 28, 2018.