SHAH ALAM: The fight for the four elected vice-president posts in the PKR party polls has suddenly become a very crowded affair, with 16 hopefuls in the fray.

       The latest to announce his candidacy was Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari who is also the party’s Gombak division chief.

       Flanked by several Selangor PKR heavyweights as well as incumbent vice-president Tian Chua, Amirudin announced his intention in a press conference streamed live via Facebook yesterday.

       Tian Chua, the former Batu MP, announced recently that he would not be defending his position.

       Amirudin said he was contesting to ensure that Selangor remained in Pakatan Harapan’s grip in the next general election.

       He said the vice-president’s position would give him a good platform to work towards this.

       He added that he had consulted the party’s leadership before making his decision.

       “I had meetings with the main leaders and party president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) as well as many of the party’s central leadership council members,” said Amirudin.

       The Mentri Besar said his decision would help determine the direction of the Selangor PKR leadership as well as become a platform for initiatives to be taken to face the next general election.

       “It is our priority to ensure victory in Selangor and be an example to other states,” he added.

       Amirudin also hoped the party polls scheduled for next month will become a unifying force and strengthen the party after several untoward incidents in recent times.

       Besides Amirudin, those contesting for the four seats include Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Kapar MP Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Halim, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and Sentosa assemblyman Gunaraj George.

       Also vying are Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai, Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang, Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, former Perak PKR chairman Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, former Kapar MP G. Manivannan and former Perak PKR deputy chief MA Tinagaran.

       Besides the four elected vice-presidents, PKR also has four appointed vice-presidents.