In PKR musical chairs, Anwar keeps players dancing to his tune

By admin-s Last updated Oct 20, 2014

Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, Malay Mail Online

Faced again with the prospect of a possible future behind bars as his sodomy appeal looms closer, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken measures to maintain his grip on PKR, party sources said.

Leaders aligned to the PKR de facto chief were just recently placed into strategic key posts within the party, ruffling the feathers of those now batting for Azmin Ali, the party number two whose influence has been growing since his appointment as Selangor mentri besar last month.

In the reshuffle, Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah and party strongman Datuk Saifuddin Nasution were made co-election directors, while former strategy director Rafizi Ramli was given the powerful post of secretary-general.

It is no secret that both Rafizi and Saifuddin are currently Anwar’s chief strategists and right-hand men in political matters concerning the party.

Malay Mail Online understands that Rafizi’s appointment, along with those of Saifuddin and Nurul Izzah, were part of a strategy to cement Anwar’s position in PKR, and to “neutralise” Azmin’s influence.

The move is also seen by some party leaders as a sign that the PKR de facto leader is struggling to regain firm control over the party amid concerns that his once-powerful influence is slowly waning after the protracted Selangor MB crisis and his preoccupation with his sodomy appeal.

“In the party election, many of those in Azmin’s camp won the elected posts.

“These appointments like Rafizi and gang are to balance Azmin’s faction with Anwar’s and to ensure his and influence on the party,” a Selangor PKR leader told Malay Mail Online on condition of anonymity.

The PKR source added there were concerns within Anwar’s camp over Azmin’s growing influence over party matters, especially since he is now MB – a post the Opposition Leader had originally batted for before his sodomy case prevented him from contesting the Kajang by-election.

“I understand that PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is going to meet Selangor PKR division chiefs soon to discuss on whether Azmin should remain as state chief,” the PKR man added, in what he says could be another attempt to clip MB Azmin’s wings.

It is also understood that some PKR leaders are unhappy with Rafizi’s appointment as secretary-general as the Pandan MP is seen as undeserving of such a “reward” after his poorly-executed “Kajang move” earlier this year.

“He is already vice-president. What is the point of giving him this post? We are not short of talent or deserving candidates. Grassroots are upset.