Despite being overlooked for a cabinet post in the Pakatan Harapan administration, veteran Nibong Tebal MP Mansor Othman remains de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's staunchest loyalist.
Party sources had told Malaysiakini that Mansor's name was shortlisted when the second batch of ministers and deputy ministers were named.
His name, however, was dropped from the list when the 13 ministers and deputies were sworn in on July 2.
But Mansor, the former Penang deputy chief minister and Penanti assemblyperson, is not one to harbour hard feelings.
He did even not kick up a storm when he was replaced as deputy chief minister by Rashid Hasnon in 2013.
Today, Mansor threw his support behind Anwar's plan to contest the PKR presidency to replace Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Speaking as Penang PKR chief, Mansor said party members have been waiting for the longest time for Anwar to lead the party and the country.
"His leadership inspires confidence and can stabilise the party to face internal and external challenges," Mansor told Malaysiakini.
Mansor also thanked Wan Azizah and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali for helming PKR during Anwar's incarceration.
"They have led PKR excellently until we managed to achieve a big victory in GE14 and seized Putrajaya.
"Without their leadership strength, it would be difficult for the party to go forward and be accepted by the public. We also say thank you to all leaders in every level who helped us make this possible," he stressed.
For 20 years, Mansor said, PKR has successfully participated in the nation’s democratic struggle.
This, he added, has been so pervasive that even Umno had opted for the more democratic route of putting its top posts up for election.
"Today, their president, deputy president and vice president posts are being openly contested by anyone.
"Therefore, in the spirit of New Malaysia, PKR must participate in this festival of democracy," Mansor said.
PKR's internal polls, which have always been eventful affairs, will be held by the end of August, while nominations will take place at the end of this month. - Mkini
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