‘Azmin may make last-minute announcement for PKR presidency bid’
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is likely to wait until the last minute before announcing any plans to take on the PKR presidency against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff, said there had been much talk that Azmin wanted to take on the post following an open challenge for the deputy president’s post, which he now held.
“Azmin is most likely to go for the top post, especially now that there are also calls from the party grassroots for him to take on the post,” he said.
Kamarul Zaman said it was an open secret that there were camps in PKR, including the team led by party vice-president Rafizi Ramli.
He said it was obvious the challenge mounted against Azmin was well planned and organised.
“It may be better for
Azmin to go for broke by challenging for the president’s post instead of vying for the lesser position of a deputy.
“Azmin is, after all, known as a master strategist in the party.
“And, he has also earned a reputation as a problem solver,” he said, citing how Azmin had successfully managed issues like the Kajang move, planned by Rafizi, and the Selangor menteri Besar appointment imbroglio.
Kamarul Zaman said Azmin’s appointment to Khazanah Nasional Bhd board was also a clear signal of his stature as a leader befitting that of a PKR president.
It was reported that Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, will join Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the board of Khazanah, along with former Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican, former Bank Negara Malaysia deputy governor Dr Sukhdave Singh and former Securities Commission executive director Goh Ching Yin.
Kamarul Zaman, who is former director of the Institute for Malaysian Political Analysis, said Azmin’s political future would not be affected even if he lost in the PKR election.
“Even if he loses, Azmin will most likely be appointed into a senior post, like the vice-presidency. So, there is really nothing for him to lose by throwing his hat into the ring. He can always say the decision was part of a democratic process.”
He also dismissed any notion that fights for the top posts would lead to a split within the party.
Kamarul Zaman said even in the worst-case scenario, those who lost might just end up crossing over from PKR to another party in Pakatan Harapan.