Anwar blocks Azmin’s path to PKR presidency
(TMI) – Azmin Ali’s path to the PKR presidency was blocked when party de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim decided to run for the top position.
Azmin, the party’s deputy president, arrived at the PKR headquarters an hour before the deadline for nominations.
“I had a long discussion with Anwar today. We decided at the last minute that I should maintain the deputy president position,” Azmin said when asked why he arrived at the last minute to submit his nomination form.
A source close to the Gombak MP told The Malaysian Insider that Azmin was supposed to contest the president’s position.
However, the plan was foiled when Anwar sent a representative this morning to submit his nomination form.
Despite facing the possibility of prison after being found guilty of sodomy, Anwar decided to go ahead and contest the president’s position.
The source told The Malaysian Insider that Azmin was almost sure of challenging current president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“That was until Anwar decided to throw his hat into the ring this morning,” the source said.
Meanwhile, vice-president and Batu MP Tian Chua, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Datuk K. Ramachandran, and Murali Subramaniam all submitted their nomination forms for the deputy president’s position.
“This is a democratic process and I respect all my colleagues who are offering to serve the party,” Azmin said when asked about the tough competition he faces.
Khalid said he hoped that the election process would be fair and smooth.
“We will discuss what we can fight for and bring to the party.
“We do not intend to smear our fellow colleagues or say what does not need to be said,” he said.
“We are contesting to make this party more mature. If we want to run the country, we must show responsibility and sincerity,” he added.
