Anwar next PKR president

Party source reveals that a check mate situation is brewing steadily in favor of Azmin Ali and Nurul to oust Khalid from presidential contest

PETALING JAYA: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) may witness a major change as its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim makes his way into the president’s seat next year, revealed a party source.

The party insider hinted that incumbent president Wan Azizah will make path for her husband for the top post to avert a possible fracture in PKR

“At the moment there are three top personalities vying for the president’s post, as Wan Azizah plans to retire from politics; that has been holding the position since 1999,” said the PKR man who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to him, the three are party deputy president Azmin Ali, vice president Nurul Izzah and Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Speaking to FMT, he further claimed that the trios are planning to wrest the seat in the party presidential election scheduled to be held next year.

“All three have respective strengths in the party level. While Azmin Ali is well known as Anwar’s loyalist, Nurul Izzah who is also the Lembah Pantai MP is backed by the younger generation in PKR,” he said.

Khalid, being the Menteri Besar of Selangor and has the most number of members in the party wants to take a shot too at the presidential seat.

Nevertheless it is highly speculated that there will be no contest for the said position if Anwar Ibrahim opts for it; basically to avoid internal bickering and conflict.

The party insider also highlighted that Anwar has picked Azmin Ali as his deputy, while Nurul agrees to remain as vice president.

“Basically, the game plan is very simple. It is a plot to checkmate Khalid Ibrahim who apparently does not have a cordial relationship with the party leadership,” he said.

“There is rumour lurking that Khalid has isolated himself from the top PKR leaders and is running the state merely with the blessings of the DAP and PAS.”

He further mentioned that it is public knowledge that Azmin Ali, who is also Selangor PKR state chairman, has openly criticised Khalid for sidelining the state PKR’s suggestion on issues pertaining to the state government’s administration.

“It is just the beginning; party members are still awaiting Khalid’s next action on the current scenario.”

“He could challenge Azmin Ali for the number two post or the vice president seats,” said the PKR man.

PKR has a unique system whereby party members will choose by voting the president, deputy, four vice presidents and 28 party supreme council members in the party election.