PKR’S OPAQUE

Party without a leader strong enough to unite warring factions

THE notion of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail acting as a seat warmer for her husband has never been so palpable as during the opening of the PKR Wanita and Youth assemblies on Friday.

Dr Wan Azizah was not present and her No. 2, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, presided over the affair at PJ’s Civic Hall. After all, Dr Wan Azizah is characteristically overshadowed by Azmin, especially after he was made Selangor menteri besar.

There was a video montage of jailed party de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s struggles. Or more accurately, Anwar’s and Azmin’s struggles for the party.

There were snippets here and there showing Dr Wan Azizah standing next to her husband like a wallflower. But the video focused primarily on Anwar and Azmin.

In his speech, Azmin announced the consolidation of DAP, PKR, Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. While it is clear that he has come to terms with the absence of Pas as an ally, the event