Don’t overdo it, we’re all friends, Anwar tells PKR contestants

 The PKR president moves to cool tensions within the party amid campaigning for the central leadership election.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has reminded party colleagues that they would have to work together as a cohesive team after the party elections are over. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Anwar Ibrahim has sought to cool tensions arising from PKR’s central leadership election by reminding contestants that they are all “loyal friends”.

Anwar, who is PKR president, advised election candidates to watch their manners to ensure the “spirit of brotherhood” within PKR remains intact despite the contests, Bernama reported.

“This election is between loyal friends, many of whom are reformist figures. Therefore, we have to be careful not to overdo it because we want (this election) to be embraced as a strength,” Anwar said after chairing a Sabah PKR meeting in Tawau.

Anwar warned candidates that “overdoing it” in campaigning for the election could harm the party, as everyone would still need to work together as a cohesive team after the polls are over.

In the PKR central elections, Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, is challenging Rafizi Ramli for the deputy president’s post. Yesterday, Rafizi, who is the economy minister and Pandan MP, said he would quit his Cabinet post and be a regular MP if he lost the post to Nurul Izzah.

There are 12 contestants for the four vice-president’s posts, including the four incumbents, federal ministers Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Chang Lih Kang as well as menteris besar Amirudin Shari and Aminuddin Harun.

Anwar retained the PKR presidency unopposed for his third and final term, while his political secretary Kamil Abdul Munim was also elected PKR Youth chief unopposed.

Delegates at PKR’s national congress, which will be held in Johor Bahru, will cast their votes on May 23. - FMT