Anwar’s victory a sign of respect, says PKR veep
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim winning the PKR president’s post unchallenged is a sign of respect for him to lead the party after nearly two decades.
Incumbent PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said it reflected the maturity of the party’s leadership and put the interests of the party above all.
“Anwar is a known figure who started the Reformasi movement about 20 years ago and the party members and leaders respect his return to lead the party as its president.
“I doubt it is due to being compliant or a lack of democracy in the party because we place Anwar in his rightful place,” said Shamsul Iskandar, who is deputy primary industries minister, after the launch of a workshop on developing best agriculture practices for gro-wing oil palm.
Anwar won the presidency unchallenged after nominations for party polls closed on Sunday.
It ended speculation that PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali would throw his hat into the ring for the president’s post.
Azmin will lock horns with former Pandan member of parliament Rafizi Ramli to defend his post.
Shamsul Iskandar, who will defend his post in the party election, said he believed PKR members knew him well and he had a good track record as he had brought changes to the leadership in Melaka during the 14th General Election.
“These can be the deciding factors for party members and I have faith they will choose wisely. I hope they (party members) will give me another term to serve the party.”