‘Plot to end Wan Azizah’s political career’

(NST) – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former private secretary has alleged that a Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader had plotted to oust the party’s president from contesting in the general election.

In a statement yesterday, Anuar Shaari claimed that PKR deputy president Azmin Ali used Mohd Fareez Kamal Intidzam (former political secretary to PKR Wanita chief), his wife, Shamsidar Taharin, and Anwar, to end Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s political career.

Fareez had last month written to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, urging him to “save the opposition coalition (from destruction)” from Dr Wan Azizah and her daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is PKR vice-president.

The handwritten letter was published in a news portal on March 4.

He denied any conspiracy behind his letter criticising Dr Wan Azizah’s leadership, urging all parties to refrain from speculating or blaming Azmin for the letter as it was his own initiative and that he had done it for the party’s sake.

He claimed that he had sought help from other Pakatan Rakyat leaders in saying that Dr Wan Azizah had wanted to get rid of him and paint a bad picture of his close relationship with Anwar.

“If I had not resorted to this, I am sure she would have fired me.”

Anuar said Azmin in his quest for power had used these people to take over the party’s presidency and to place himself as the next Selangor menteri besar.

“From Fareez’s letter, we can see it was as if he could predict what would happen. While praising Azmin’s leadership the letter was written at perfect timing.”

Anuar also alleged that Azmin’s wife had urged the opposition leader to ban Dr Wan Azizah from contesting.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera last week, Anwar confirmed that Dr Wan Azizah would not be contesting in the 13th General Election.