Perlis PKR chief Noor Amin Ahmad said that achieving such a goal would require substantial effort, especially for the former Umno Supreme Council member.

“We hope that anyone joining PKR can bring added value to our struggle and efforts to strengthen the party.

“To me, Zahidi’s ambition is good as it reflects his intention to strengthen the party. Whether it succeeds or not is another matter… it will require a lot of hard work,” he told FMT.

Amin’s comments were in response to Zahidi’s announcement that he plans to establish 400 PKR branches across Perlis by GE16, with over 100 of these branches to be set up in Padang Besar.

Currently, PKR Padang Besar has 60 branches.

Yesterday, Zahidi, who is also the former Padang Besar Umno chief, announced that he became a PKR member nearly two years after expressing his intention to join the party.

The former Padang Besar MP said he had obtained approval from PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to join the party, adding that efforts to establish the 400 branches across the state are already underway.

Zahidi previously served as the deputy communications and multimedia minister from 2021 to 2022.

Meanwhile, Amin dismissed claims that the state PKR chapter did not welcome Zahidi.

Amin stressed that anyone can join the party as long as they believe in its struggle for reforms and adhere to its disciplinary code.

When asked whether the state PKR chapter would offer Zahidi any positions, Amin said there was no need to do so as the party’s elections are scheduled for next year.

“To me, it’s unnecessary. There’s only six months left before the party elections.

“However, if the Padang Besar branch wants to involve him in its structure, that’s up to them. Personally, I believe leaders should have a solid base,” he said.