Are you in 'Team Anwar'? Azmin replies he's with 'Team Keadilan'

PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali said his allegiance is with “Team Keadilan” in response to a question on whether he is part of party president Anwar Ibrahim's team.

He also said with regard to the Reformasi movement, the most crucial period was in 1999, following Anwar's sacking from the government a year prior and his subsequent imprisonment.

"When they talk about Reformasi, the real challenge of Reformasi was 1999, and at least during the first 10 years. I was there.

"I have been loyal to the cause and the struggle. The members have seen me in action, I have worked for the party.

"So, I will leave it to them to decide," he said.

Azmin was commenting on the upcoming PKR elections, where he will be defending his post against current vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi, whose team claims to have the backing of Anwar, has described the contest as a showdown between “career politicians and reformists.”

Previously, there was intense speculation that Azmin might challenge Anwar for the president's post.

It was claimed that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was using Azmin to keep his former nemesis Anwar in check, and that this was the reason why the PKR leader was given the powerful economic affairs minister post.

Both Mahathir and Azmin have denied this.

Anwar, on the other hand, won the president's post uncontested when nominations closed at 5pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Azmin said while he cannot predict how PKR's 80,000 members would vote in relation to the deputy president contest.

However, he did not see the need for an extensive campaign.

"I don't have to campaign now, I have been with the party for the last 20 years.

“Why do you suddenly expect me to go down (to the ground). The members have known me for 20 years," he added. - Mkini