OPENING up the PKR elections to those who have been members for less than a year is not an issue, said party lawmakers.

They said this is because everything must first get the president’s approval.

“This is an old rule, not a new one. This happened when Zaid Ibrahim went up against Mohamed Azmin Ali a few years ago.

“It has been there for a long time, years ago,” PKR chief whip Johari Abdul told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the rule has helped the party grow its branches in some states, especially in the east coast.

“There is a need to grow the party at the branch level. As long as you get approval from the president, it’s fine.”

The Malaysian Insight earlier today reported that PKR has opened up its party polls to those who signed up as members less than a year ago.

They are allowed to contest in the elections next month upon receiving special approval from president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

A letter sighted by The Malaysian Insight yesterday states that they must get Dr Wan Azizah’s approval by noon today.

Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir said “new” members who want to contest must make their case to the president, and only those with legitimate reasons for wanting to run will be allowed to do so.

He said the requirement that they are personally approved by the party president is to ensure that background checks are carried out.

“There are many reasons as to why those who have been members for less than a year want to contest.

“Maybe there was a glitch in their registration, maybe they felt that it was the right time to join after helping us in the 14th general election.

“It’s unfair to categorically tell them they are not qualified to contest.”

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin concurred, saying the rule was in place in previous PKR polls.

“If you’ve been a member for just a few days, and you don’t show your track record, I don’t think you can win, compared with those who have long shown commitment to the party. Members look up to the latter.”

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh said she believes Dr Wan Azizah will not be biased in approving applications by new members seeking to contest in the polls.

“I trust that she will be very selective. The president is not biased. She will practise due diligence.”

PKR Women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said in principal, disallowing new members from contesting in party elections is to ensure that they truly understand the Reformasi struggle.

“But if this is true, it seems like it has been done arbitrarily. I hope the party will review this matter, if that’s the case.”

It was reported last month that 300,000 new members joined PKR between May 9 and June 26.

Secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said membership now stands at 800,000, all of whom will vote in the upcoming polls.

Elections for leaders for the 2018-2021 term will begin with nominations on Sunday for central leadership council positions.

Elections for the central committee, and Youth and Women wings will be carried out between September 14 and October 7, via the new electronic voting system. – August 1, 2018.