Nik Nazmi, who is also the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, maintained that he would defend his role despite recently losing the contest for the position of Setiawangsa division chief.

“I previously announced that I would defend the position… God willing, we will stick to the decision (to contest the PKR vice-president’s position). If there is a major announcement, I will inform you later,” he told reporters after inspecting the installation of solar panels at the Ikea Damansara shopping mall here today.

Nik Nazmi, the Setiawangsa MP, lost the Setiawangsa divisional chief’s position to Afdlin Shauki, who obtained 631 votes to Nik Nazmi’s 563.

Nik Nazmi said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim would chair a meeting of the central leadership council tomorrow to discuss issues arising in the party election.

It is understood that the topics of discussion include the defeat of several party leaders who hold ministerial and deputy ministerial portfolios.

Apart from Nik Nazmi, deputy youth and sports minister Adam Adli lost the race for the Hang Tuah Jaya division deputy chief’s post, while deputy unity minister K Saraswathy lost the contest for the post of Bukit Bintang division chief.

Batu MP P Prabakaran, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, and Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan also lost the race in their respective divisions.