Ramanan, Fuziah eyeing Batu seat for GE16?
B Nantha Kumar
Published: May 10, 2026 10:55 AM
Updated: 1:13 PM
Sources are claiming that PKR vice-president R Ramanan and secretary-general Fuziah Salleh are eyeing the Batu parliamentary seat ahead of the 16th general election, which is currently held by the party’s P Prabakaran.
Ramanan (above, right) is the MP for Sungai Buloh and the human resources minister. He won his seat in the last general election, which saw a seven-cornered contest that included former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Early speculation suggests Ramanan is interested in Batu. He is seen as wanting a seat with a more mixed demographic. However, nothing has been finalised yet,” a source from the party leadership told Malaysiakini.
At the same time, the situation has become more intriguing after another source confirmed that Fuziah is also believed to be interested in contesting in Batu.
“Fuziah does not want to remain only as a senator. Batu is a strategic constituency for her return to the Dewan Rakyat,” said the source, who is also from the party leadership.
Fuziah previously lost the Kuantan parliamentary seat in GE15 to Perikatan Nasional candidate Wan Razali Wan Nor by a majority of 2,866 votes.
The defeat ended her three-term tenure in the constituency before she was appointed to the Senate and later became deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living.
Ramanan, meanwhile, began his political career in MIC before joining PKR ahead of GE15, when he replaced former Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa as the party’s candidate.
He also won the PKR vice-presidency during the party election before being appointed minister in the December 2025 cabinet reshuffle.
Malaysiakini has contacted both Ramanan and Fuziah for comment.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that PKR’s GE16 analysis report classified Sungai Buloh and Kuantan as Tier 3 seats, while Batu was placed in Tier 1.
In electoral terms, Tier 3 refers to seats requiring special intervention, while Tier 1 constituencies are considered among the party’s safest or strongest.
‘Better local than parachute candidate’
Batu PKR division chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said bringing in a “parachute candidate” to Batu would not be as straightforward as some might assume.
“I know several top leaders are looking at Batu.
“Representatives for Fuziah contacted members of my division and expressed that intention. At the same time, several central leaders also informed me that Ramanan may be fielded in Batu.
“However, I have not received any direct calls from them,” he said when contacted.
Batu PKR division chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi
However, Asheeq, who is also the Federal Territories PKR Youth chief, stressed his personal view that Batu needs a local candidate.
“To me, senior leaders migrating to safe seats is unfair to division members or existing MPs in constituencies categorised as safe. Nevertheless, I respect whatever decision the top leadership makes,” he said.
Not the right time
Batu incumbent Prabakaran said it was not the appropriate time to discuss candidates.
“My main focus as the incumbent is to fulfil the people’s mandate and deliver on the reform promises we have championed. That is the responsibility I prioritise in Batu at this moment,” he said.
However, Asheeq, who is also the Federal Territories PKR Youth chief, stressed his personal view that Batu needs a local candidate.
“To me, senior leaders migrating to safe seats is unfair to division members or existing MPs in constituencies categorised as safe. Nevertheless, I respect whatever decision the top leadership makes,” he said.
Not the right time
Batu incumbent Prabakaran said it was not the appropriate time to discuss candidates.
“My main focus as the incumbent is to fulfil the people’s mandate and deliver on the reform promises we have championed. That is the responsibility I prioritise in Batu at this moment,” he said.
Batu MP P Prabakaran
The Batu parliamentary constituency, which includes areas such as Jalan Ipoh, Sentul and Jinjang, is known as a mixed seat with a large non-Malay voter base. The constituency is often viewed as a testing ground for the strength of the reformasi-driven party.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that some grassroots members within Batu PKR had proposed deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar as a potential candidate for the seat in GE16 as part of a motion of support from delegates.
The Batu parliamentary constituency, which includes areas such as Jalan Ipoh, Sentul and Jinjang, is known as a mixed seat with a large non-Malay voter base. The constituency is often viewed as a testing ground for the strength of the reformasi-driven party.
Previously, Malaysiakini reported that some grassroots members within Batu PKR had proposed deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar as a potential candidate for the seat in GE16 as part of a motion of support from delegates.
No comments:
Post a Comment