FORMER student activist Adam Adli Abd Halim is acutely aware of the uphill task he faces in challenging Fahmi Zainol for the post of PKR Youth chief.

Fahmi is popular with the party grassroots and has been with PKR longer while Adam had only recently joined.

Adam, who puts his chances at 50%, called it a healthy competition.

“We understand each other well and have a long friendship. 

“I won’t deny that in this fight he might have the upper hand as he is the incumbent and former PKR exco,” he said in an Insight Talks interview.

“I might have some shortcomings, but will keep my focus on bringing change and new ideas.

“In politics, the incumbent usually has the edge, but it all depends on situations. Sometimes the incumbent also has his flaws.

“But, at the end of the day, we leave it up to the PKR members to evaluate who they want to select.”

On March 30, Adam announced he will be running for the post against fellow ex-student activist Fahmi.

He had joined PKR on September 16 last year, with 20 other youth activists.

In a previous interview with The Malaysian Insight, he said his goal in politics would be to champion free tertiary education for all Malaysians.

The 32-year-old has had numerous brushes with the law for speaking on issues that affect students and ordinary citizens.

His most recent incident was in January this year, where he was questioned by police for his role in the #TangkapAzamBaki rally. 

On what he expects to do if selected as PKR Youth chief, Adam said he would focus on unity as the party prepares for the 15th general election.

“The aim is to unite members affected by what happened during the Sheraton move.

“I believe in party unity and this is one of the things to focus on. We need to bring together the old and new members once again to strengthen the party to what it was before.”

On the party elections, he said it is being carried out in a hybrid manner where members will vote online and at the centres.

“Online voting closes today. There are an estimated 300,000 members who might be voting online, while we have more than a million members nationwide who would be casting their ballots for the party polls.

“Everyone is given a chance to choose their leaders.” – April 23, 2022.