Wan Azizah not contesting, says Anwar

The confirmation from the PKR supremo ends all speculation about her taking over the Selangor state administration as the future menteri besar.

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PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will not be contesting in the 13th general election when responding to allegations of nepotism in PKR.

“Azizah was able to lead the party while I was in prison. She leads the party but decided not to contest in the election,” he said during a live interview with Al-Jazeera yesterday evening.

Aside from Wan Azizah, the couple’s daughter Nurul Izzah is the party vice president and Lembah Pantai MP.

Speculations about Wan Azizah contesting in this general election arose last week.

Malay daily Sinar Harian reported Azizah’s intention to contest for a state seat in Selangor but added she had not decided on the seat.

“Yes, I would contest for a seat in the Selangor state legislative assembly but we need to discuss on a suitable seat. That would make it easier for me to conduct an election campaign and focus on the area,” she had told the daily.

Following that, Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei who is also Seri Muda state assemblyman offered four state seats out of the 17 that PKR have for her to contest.

The four are Seri Muda in Kota Raja, Kota Anggerik in Shah Alam, Seri Setia in Kelana Jaya and Sementa in Kapar.

Her intention to contest also created speculations that current Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali who is also vying for the menteri besar seat would have to give way for Azizah to be the next menteri besar, if she won.

Many PKR grassroots leaders also welcomed Azizah’s decision.

Wan Azizah was the Permatang Pauh MP from 1999 to July 2008. She contested in Permatang Pauh after Anwar was disqualified from holding on to his MP position when he was imprisoned. In July 2008, she stepped down to allow Anwar’s comeback into active politics.

Her decision to step down resulted in her being disqualified to contest for a parliament seat until July this year.