He said he wanted to pave the way for young leaders. “My time has passed. I am not contesting due to my age, too,” Beritan Harian quoted the 74-year-old as saying. “I have served and want younger leaders to contribute to PKR instead.”

Hassan said he will not contest for a spot in the central leadership council, nor the chairmanship of Johor PKR, a position he held from 2014 to 2019, or any position at the divisional level.

PKR will hold divisional elections next month, and those for the central committee in May.

Hassan said PKR’s decision to hold the party elections well before a general election was a testament of its strength.

The outspoken MP has been frequently in the news with comments on a wide range of issues. In November, he was summoned by the party’s disciplinary board over his public criticisms of the government, including the decision to award the rollout of the second 5G network to U Mobile Sdn Bhd.

He was accused of smearing PKR’s image and also of making remarks deemed insulting towards Sultan Ibrahim, who is currently serving as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

However, the PKR central leadership council decided against taking any action against him.