Wan Azizah to remain as DPM

DATUK Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will not step down as deputy prime minister following the unofficial win of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as PKR president.

She also confirmed that she will still be Pandan MP and will not make way for her husband to stand as an MP.

Anwar won the PKR president’s position uncontested, taking over from Dr Wan Azizah who did not defend her post.

Nurul Izzah Anwar also denied plans to vacate her parliamentary seat to give way to her father.

“I have some projects lined up for Permatang Pauh and I am committed to seeing them through as the MP throughout my entire five-year term.”

Incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said Anwar’s win shows there is undivided support in the party for Anwar to lead PKR for the first time since it was founded by the former deputy prime minister.

“This shows that the members are unanimous in wanting to see Anwar play an important role in the party and in Pakatan Harapan in which PKR makes up the biggest bloc,” he said at the Parliament lobby.

At the party nominations on Sunday, Azmin had thrown his hat in the ring to contest for the deputy president’s post.

This has set the stage for a showdown between Azmin and party vice-president Rafizi Ramli for the number two post in PKR.

Institute for Public Leadership president Datuk Mohd Radzi Abd Latif said both Azmin and Rafizi are talented leaders and charismatic and whoever wins or loses, it will be a loss of great talent in PKR.

“The PKR election should not be the case of winner takes all and loser loses all. It’s time for PKR to consider two deputy president posts where the candidate with a higher vote would be appointed as deputy president 1 and the other as deputy president 2.

“Anwar, being the incoming president would need to figure out how and when this can be done and prevent the clash of the two admirable young giants who undoubtedly possess the traits of top leaders.”