Anwar: I’m in
PETALING JAYA: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to take over the party’s presidency next month from its current president, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also his wife.
Anwar, who is recovering from surgery to his shoulder in Turkey last Thursday, announced yesterday he will be contesting the position, that he is strongly tipped to win uncontested.
He said the decision was made after deliberating the matter with the party’s top leadership and taking into account the future of the party, ending weeks of speculation over his candidacy for the top position.
“Lately, there have been views on the need for me to lead PKR as president, replacing incumbent Wan Azizah. I have carefully considered each opinion.
“After discussing it with Wan Azizah, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and the top leadership, I offer myself to contest as PKR president.
“If I receive the mandate of the party’s grassroots nationwide, I will helm the party as president after the PKR national congress in November,” he said in a statement.
Speculation has been rife that Anwar, who was recently released from prison after he received a royal pardon, would be contesting for the post at the party elections at the end of August.
Wan Azizah is also deputy prime minister and Women, Family and Community
Development minister.
According to party insiders, Wan Azizah will most likely be appointed as a vice-president in the party and maintain her positions in the government.
“She will not contest any other position in the party. Some claim she will take on Mohamed Azmin for the deputy presidency, but that will not happen.
“Also, she will not be giving up her Pandan parliamentary seat to make way for a by-election. Whether or not Wan Azizah will accept a vice-president’s post by appointment is also uncertain as it may not go down well with certain members – having Anwar as the president and his wife and daughter (Nurul Izzah) as vice-presidents,” said the insider.
It was also learnt that several top leaders from the party will be leaving for Turkey on Thursday after the Dewan Rakyat sitting to meet Anwar over party matters.
“If at all there is competition in the party polls, it will be for the elected vice-president positions. Anwar’s route to the presidency is clear and it is seen as preparation for him to take over the premiership from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In the 2007 party elections, Wan Azizah contested for the post alongside Anwar, but won it uncontested after the latter’s nomination was withdrawn as he was just released from prison and had to observe a five-year ban from active involvement in politics.