Sidelined, suspended but still loyal: Ginie eyes comeback in Melaka

Five years after being dropped as PKR’s candidate for Machap Jaya, Ginie Lim is back in the running, describing her return as a political “comeback” after a turbulent spell marked by factional infighting, pressure to leave the party and disciplinary action.

Lim said that she had stayed loyal to PKR despite being caught up in its internal factional disputes, insisting that her allegiance was to the party and its principles, not individual leaders.

“I stayed on, even though there was a lot of pressure to push me out. I also received many invitations to join other parties, but that was never an issue for me.

“For me, politics is about testing our loyalty. It tests our persistence and commitment to the cause and the principles we uphold,” she told FMT.

Lim also said that her relationship with party leaders has improved, pointing to her appointment as Wanita PKR information chief.

She acknowledged having been suspended and facing complaints, but described those experiences as part and parcel of politics.

“I have been penalised, but I make a comeback. I make things better. I improve myself and contribute better to the party,” she said.

Her strained relationship with the PKR leadership dates back to 2019, when she and fellow assemblyman Muhamad Jailani Khamis absented themselves from a vote to nominate then Melaka PKR chief Halim Bachik as a senator.

The motion was defeated 13-12, prompting PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to condemn their absence as unacceptable.

After the 2020 Sheraton Move brought down the Pakatan Harapan federal government, PKR took action against leaders linked to Azmin Ali, who later joined Bersatu.

Lim was one of three leaders issued written warnings by the party, despite denying being aligned to him.

She was subsequently dropped as the Machap Jaya candidate ahead of the 2021 state election, a seat she won in 2018, after failing both in 2008 and 2013.

In her absence, Ngwe Hee Sem recaptured the seat for Barisan Nasional in the 2021 polls.

Lim was also suspended from duties as Alor Gajah PKR division chief in 2024 for a year, due to an alleged violation of the party’s constitution.

Although she has not held elected office for the past five years, Lim said her connection with voters in Machap Jaya had remained intact.

She said she had been inundated with “overwhelmingly encouraging messages” since being named as a candidate.

“I have maintained my connections with the community through various platforms, whether through NGOs or the service centre of Alor Gajah MP Adly Zahari. We have continued serving the community over the past five years,” she said.

“I think this explains why people still remember the warmth and friendliness we shared when I was their assemblywoman.”

Lim is in a three-corner fight for Machap Jaya, going up against incumbent Ngwe and newcomer Bersama’s B Prasanth Kumar.

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