AZMIN READY TO CONTEST IN CIVILISED WAY
Economic affairs minister willing to face any challenger, says political sec
PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is ready to face any challenger in the party polls on the basis of democracy and openness.
However, Azmin’s political secretary, Muhammad Hilman Idham, said his boss believed that any contest had to be conducted in a harmonious and civilised way that adhered to party norms.
“I believe that Azmin will accept anyone, including Rafizi Ramli, who wants to contest the posts of president, deputy or any other position,” he said yesterday.
Hilman refused to confirm whether Azmin would be defending his position.
There is speculation that Azmin might face-off with his mentor and PKR de-facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for the No. 1 spot.
A news portal yesterday reported that PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli had confirmed that he would be contesting the deputy president’s post.
It is understood that the former Pandan member of parliament will announce his decision tomorrow.
It is also understood that Anwar’s wife, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been serving as party president since the party was established, will not be defending her post.
Different factions were beginning to appear in PKR.
Outgoing Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin had called on the party’s leadership not to block challengers, even in contesting the post of president, and praised Azmin for his capabilities while not throwing him her support.
Anwar’s daughter, PKR vicepresident Nurul Izzah Anwar, did not say much about Azmin’s silence. When asked to comment, she merely replied: “What do you think?”
The Permatang Pauh MP had stated that all was well between her father and his protege.
Rafizi is embroiled in several court cases and was bound over for two years last month on a good behaviour bond for exposing a page of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd audit report.
PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar said Rafizi’s decision to contest would not affect the party’s stability.
He said any member could throw his hat into the ring.