WAN AZIZAH: I’LL STAY AS PH PRESIDENT

She will make way for Anwar to contest PKR presidency, but will retain her post in Pakatan

DATUK Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will remain Pakatan Harapan president in the event her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, wins the PKR presidency in the party polls.

Dr Wan Azizah said it was not an issue as there was a “general sentiment” that her position as PH president will be sustained”.

On whether she would take on the mantle of PKR de facto leader, now held by her husband, she said the issue had not been discussed.

“We will announce whether we will retain the post or otherwise because it is not in the party’s structure,” she said at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

On whether the matter will be discussed by way of a motion raised in the party’s congress in November, she replied: “Not yet.”

It is understood that she would not contest the PKR presidency following Anwar ’s statement that he would contest it.

He said the decision was made after a discussion with Dr Wan Azizah, who has been president for 20 years.

PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali had said the post of “de facto leader” was created for Anwar in 2007 because he could not hold any post.

At the time, Anwar was subjected to restrictions under the law where he could not hold any post or be involved in politics for five years.

So, the party agreed to confer on him the role to recognise his position.

Azmin had said he was not sure if a motion to retain Dr Wan Azizah as de facto leader would be raised at the congress, but discussions would be held.