PKR will keep its parliamentary seats and not give up even the ones lost in GE13, the party said today, signalling tough negotiations are in order for the Malay-based parties in Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The hardline statement by party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution would mean that Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and PAS splinter party Parti Amanah Negara will have to slug it out for seats that were allocated to PAS – which has refused to work with PH.

“Any places that we have won we cannot give it up to anyone, the 30 parliamentary areas that we have won cannot be given to anyone.” Saifuddin said at the party congress today.

During GE13, PKR contested 99 parliamentary seats and won 30 while then coalition partner PAS won 21 of 73 seats contested. DAP won 38 of the 51 seats it contested.

Saifuddin also said that he will suggest to PKR leaders for all their candidates to declare their assets before joining the party.

“That is why I want to suggest a requirement that all our candidates must declare their assets because the one thing that will differentiate us from other parties is we have the higher moral ground,” he said.

He added that he will not hesitate to declare his own assets if he gets to contest in the elections.

“If this (suggestion) becomes reality, I will declare everything, my cars, my phones, houses, anything, I will tell everything loud and clear,” he said.

This follows a recent case where Ampang PKR Youth chief Adam Rosly was asked to declare his assets after he got into trouble with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli urged Adam to declare his assets after MACC began investigating him last month. 

Adam was questioned by Red Shirts leader Jamal Yunos on how he was able to own a castle-style bungalow in Ampang at such a young age.

Adam claimed that he had amassed his wealth through business ventures and inheritance from his family.

He is to be charged under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act. – May 21, 2017