Kamri, a seasoned PKR leader, confirmed his intention to return to the race after stepping aside in the previous party election in 2022.
“In the last election, I withdrew at the last minute to make way for Altimet to lead the Ampang division for one term,” he told FMT.
“This time, I feel there’s a need for me to return and lead the division again. I see there’s support and trust from grassroots members for me to take on this role.
“There’s also a desire on the ground to choose a new leader – someone who may be an old face,” said Kamri, who is the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
Syed Ahmad, who is completing his first term as Ampang PKR chief, welcomed the challenge from Kamri and Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin, describing the three-cornered contest as part of a healthy democratic process within the party.
“I’m happy to be taking part in this democratic exercise where every member of this division gets to have a say in how we will move forward.
“I think it’s only fair and responsible for me to defend the post, having successfully overseen the efforts to return all three seats to our party,” he said.
He was referring to PKR’s success in regaining the Ampang parliamentary seat as well as the state seats of Bukit Antarabangsa and Lembah Jaya which it lost by way of defections in 2020.
Syed Ahmad, the Lembah Jaya assemblyman, said his focus remained on the division-level contest for now, although he hoped to contribute at the national level, too.
“I’m looking forward to injecting fresh ideas and new blood into the party at both the divisional and national levels. But division polling takes place first, so that’s the priority now.
“Ultimately, we all share the same vision and want to exercise good organisational behaviour and spirit. Going against Kamri is an exciting challenge. He’s an experienced party member and my assemblyman. I voted for him in the state polls,” he added.
Hot contest shaping up in PJ, JB
A hot contest is also shaping up for the Petaling Jaya division chief’s post, with former Selangor executive councillor Hee Loy Sian hoping to defend the position against Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung.
Lee, the PKR communications director, said he was taking part in the contest “for good” and in hopes of bringing positive change to the Petaling Jaya division.
“We have the third-highest number of voting members nationwide, and now it’s time to make Petaling Jaya one of the best PKR divisions in Malaysia,” he said.
Hee, who was not fielded as a candidate in the last parliamentary and state elections, is also a Selangor PKR vice-chairman.
It is understood that deputy energy transition and water transformation minister Akmal Nasir will be challenged by Johor PKR youth chief Taufiq Ismail for the Johor Bahru division chief’s post in a head-to-head fight.
Akmal, a two-term Johor Bahru MP, is currently leading the division.
Meanwhile, there will be a four-cornered race to lead the Bukit Bintang division, with PKR vice-president K Saraswathy and G Sivamalar – a senior aide to federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa – in contention.
C Kishore Kumar, the current division chief, is expected to have a tough time defending the post with the entry of Sivamalar and Saraswathy, who is a deputy minister. The fourth contender for the post is Anwar Pawan Chik.
PKR will hold elections for its division and central committee leaderships in April and May, respectively.