Anwar says may bid for PKR presidency

(MM) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could soon trade his de facto leadership of PKR for its rightful presidency.

Revealing a two-pronged move said to be aimed at cementing his position at the head of the party and pre-empting a possible power struggle in PKR’s upper echelons, Anwar also suggested that Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail may relinquish the post ahead of internal polls this May.

“Yes, I am seriously considering in contesting the post,” he told The Malay Mail Online in an interview here.

“(Wan) Azizah has indicated for some years now of stepping down. She would like to spend more time with our grandchildren,” Anwar said.

Dr Wan Azizah, his wife, is the official head of the opposition party informally headed by Anwar.

The opposition leader said, however, that a final decision will only be made after the Kajang by-election that he is contesting on March 23.

The Malay Mail Online understands that the move could prevent intra-party feud and to avoid a possible repeat of PKR’s fractious 2010 polls that led to the exit of former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, among others.

A PKR leader said that Anwar becoming president was a “logical move” that would solidify his position within the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition as well as put an end to criticisms of his unofficial spot at the top of the party.

“It will give Datuk Seri Anwar more legitimacy. He is already leading the party, he might as well make it official,” said the source who spoke to The Malay Mail Online on the condition of anonymity.

The source added that a scramble for the top job may ensue if Dr Wan Azizah steps down and Anwar chooses to remain as de facto leader of the party.

“Azmin Ali is deputy president, so it should make sense for him to ascend to become president. But not everyone in PKR is agreeable to him becoming president,” said the PKR source.

PKR recently amended its election rules to ensure a clean and healthy polls this May.

Under the new rules, individuals can now nominate themselves, instead of relying on proposals from the divisions.

The voting process at the divisional and national level will now be carried out simultaneously.

The duration for the voting process will also be shorter than previously.

The last PKR election in 2010 was fraught with allegations of nepotism and irregularity, which resulted in several leaders including Zaid leaving the party.