Azmin’s ‘bond’ with Dr Mahathir no hindrance, freeing Anwar still PKR’s priority
(The Malaysian Insider) – PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali raised eyebrows in his party recently when he mentioned a special bond he had with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.
It is common knowledge that PKR die-hards have held a special contempt for Dr Mahathir, whom they blame for party de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s downfall from Umno and subsequent imprisonment from 1998 to 2004.
Some in the party were therefore aghast when Azmin, the Selangor Menteri Besar, talked about the special ties he had with Dr Mahathir in a speech during his eldest daughter’s wedding earlier this month.
Dr Mahatir as well as his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali had been present as invited guests, along with the Sultans of Selangor and Perak.
During his speech, not once did Azmin mention Anwar’s name, and this apparently raised the hackles of those who knew how tight the two men were.
Azmin was one of Anwar’s most trusted aides throughout his 16-year political career in Umno and both were instrumental in forming PKR.
So, to some in PKR, Azmin’s speech about his ties to Dr Mahathir was seen as a slap to Anwar, who was once his mentor but is now serving another term in Sungai Buloh prison on a second sodomy conviction, which PKR and supporters say is another political conspiracy.
Among some of Azmin’s biggest critics in PKR is Badrul Hisham Shahrin, more popularly known as Chegu Bard, who had once been suspended by the party but is now a full time member.
However, other observers have come to Azmin’s defence, claiming that Azmin’s primary mission remains freeing Anwar.
“I am confident that whatever Azmin does now has the blessings of Anwar,” said Professor Datuk Dr Redzuan Othman of the Darul Ehsan Institute (IDE).
“The main focus is on freeing him,” said Redzuan, who is vice-chairman of the Selangor government think tank.
Azmin’s name is among a list of individuals who are barred from meeting Anwar in Sungai Buloh, according to Redzuan.
The last time the PKR deputy president visited Anwar in prison was before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.
The absence of Anwar’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at Azmin’s daughter’s wedding was also noticeable, but a source who attended the event said this was because Dr Wan Azizah was ill.
Anwar’s family was instead represented by his brother Rosli Ibrahim, and the jailed leader’s daughter Nurul Iman.
The source said not to make too much of Azmin’s sentimental words towards Dr Mahathir, as it was only natural for the host of a wedding to address the VIP guests in attendance.
Another analyst, Mohamad Hisomuddin Bakar from the think tank Ilham Centre said that though PKR have many factions within, all of them were united behind the common goal to free Anwar.
“PKR’s focus now, regardless of faction, is Anwar’s freedom,” Hisomuddin said.
