JOHOR BARU: PKR's announcement of 13 candidates for the upcoming Johor election has been marred by infighting, with protests against one incumbent's nomination and a state youth leader resigning.

       Semerah assemblyman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said was heckled by members when it was announced he would be defending the seat he won in the 14th general election in 2018.

       One PKR member even stood up during the announcement by party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Batu Pahat on Monday (Feb 14) night holding up a notice saying they rejected Mohd Khuzzan.

       Anwar advised Mohd Khuzzan, who was a Johor exco member during the Pakatan Harapan administration of the state, to take the incident in his stride and reach out to the disgruntled group.

       Mohd Khuzzan played down the incident, saying this was the second protest against his candidacy.

       “In the last election, there was a similar incident but I left it to the community and voters to choose.

       “This is just a minor protest as there are many PKR members (who) still throw their support behind me. For those who protested, I will strengthen the relationship among members to ensure the seat stays with PKR,” he said.

       In GE14, Mohd Khuzzan won the seat with a razor-thin majority of 98 votes to defeat Barisan Nasional and PAS in a three-cornered fight.

       Meanwhile, Johor PKR youth information chief Mohamad Taufiq Ismail announced his resignation from the post with immediate effect on Monday.

       He also said in a Facebook post that he was stepping down as Johor Baru PKR division secretary.

       “I would like to thank the state youth wing leadership for all the guidance and trust given throughout the period (I held) the position.

       “I hope that Johor Angkatan Muda Keadilan will continue to move forward... and succeed in the party’s reformation agenda,” he added.

       Mohamad Taufiq also posted a short statement to express his disappointment with a political party, which he did not name.

       “This party is a party of suffering, it will suffer forever. Arrived at the end of my political career. Thank you all,” he said.

       The 13 candidates announced by PKR so far, besides Mohd Khuzzan, include: C. Subramani (Buloh Kasap), Yoong Thau (Pemanis), Na’im Jusri (Gambir), Md Ysahrudin Kusni (Bukit Naning, incumbent), Azmi Masrani (Sri Medan), Abdullah Sahid (Sungai Balang), state PKR women chief Napsiah Khamis (Kempas), Chiong Sen Sern (Bukit Batu), S. Gopalakrishnan (Tiram), Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain (Larkin) and Fakhruddin Moslim (Pasir Raja).

       Earlier in Rengit, Anwar announced that former education minister and current Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik would be contesting the Layang Layang seat.

       Nomination day has been set for Feb 26, early polling on March 8 and polling day on March 12.