KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Afdlin Shauki, who pulled off an upset over incumbent Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in PKR’s divisional elections yesterday, does not believe that the results imply diminished confidence by party members in Nik Nazmi.
In fact, Afdlin, 53, feels he was elected to support Nik Nazmi in his current role as the MP for Setiawangsa as well as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
“I am grateful for the support of those who voted for me. However, this is not a victory in the usual sense of the word.
“This is a win for the party, and particularly the Setiawangsa constituency, which is represented by a dynamic young leader in Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad,” Afdlin told Scoop last night.
Afdlin, the chairman of Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, won the Setiawangsa division chairmanship by 631 votes to Nik Nazmi’s 563.
At the national level, however, Nik Nazmi still holds the position of vice president.
The award-winning filmmaker, actor and singer said the election result is a mandate and a message from party members for Nik Nazmi to be given space to focus more on his constituency responsibilities and ministerial duties, as he is already doing a commendable job.
“Which is why I am extending my hand to Nik Nazmi. I am also at his service.
“Whatever support he needs, my team and I will be there for him,” said Afdlin, who joined the party in 2021. — April 20, 2025