Singapore – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seems ready to keep his post as president of Party Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), after his candidacy for the position was not disputed.
The candidates for the party management positions closed on Friday May 9 at 11:59 p.m. with the name of Anwar the only one in the running for the presidency of PKR, reported the Bernama national press agency.
Meanwhile, the fight for post number two is about to be a two -horsepower race between Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah and the outgoing Rafizi Ramli, Minister of the Malaysia Economy.
The Minister of the Interior, SAIFUDDIN NASTION ISmail, who lost the assistant presidency competition of the PKR against Rafizi during the last election in 2022 and would have thought about another offer this time, will not present himself at any position after all.
Friday evening, the help of Saifuddin, Omar Mokhtar Manap, told the local media that Saifuddin came to the decision after having discussed with several senior party leaders.
“His message is for all of us to remain firm on the path of the struggle, to work hard to strengthen the party and prioritize two key objectives: to win the 16th general election and to ensure that Anwar Ibrahim serves a second term as Prime Minister,” said Omar as indicated by Malaysia free of news today.
PKR did not officially announce the contenders for the various management positions of the May 23 survey after the end of the appointments.
Bernama indicated that the final list of candidates will be announced on May 15, from May 11 to 12, reserved for any objection to appointments and from May 13 to 14 for calls for objection.
The deadline for withdrawal is May 14, while the campaign will be from May 15 to 22.
The May 23 survey is the first PKR management competition since Anwar became Prime Minister in November 2022.
People who have been elected later this month will serve a mandate of three years until 2028 and should lead the party to the next general elections, which must be held by February 2028.
It will be the last term of PKR presidency for Anwar, 77, because the constitution of the party highlights the mandate of its president on two consecutive conditions.
The position of vice-president is thus considered to be the journey of his possible successor in PKR.
Analysts have said of the aic This Izzah Nurul, which is currently one of the four vice-presidents of PKR, has a strong chance of winning given the support she received Party divisional leaders.
However, his brand could be injured by the claims of nepotism, the experts added.
Known as “Reformasi Princess” for his role in the campaign for the release of his prison father 20 years ago, Nurul Izzah was a deputy for two terms for Permatang Pauh in Penang before losing his parliamentary seat in the 2022 general elections.
The appointment of Nurul Izzah for the PKR assistant presidency position follows a wave of support from the Bigwigs of the Party, notably the chief minister of Selangor, Amirudin Shari, the young youth PKR Adam Adami and the Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek.
The deputy leader of party information, R Ramanan, was cited in media reports indicating that more than 150 of the 222 PKR divisions promised support for the appointment of Nurul Izzah.
Nurul Izzah, 44, rejected the claims on Friday that the application for the post signals the nepotism and the Party Dynasty policy.
“Even if I had to get the position of vice-president, I am not interested in any article on the cabinet,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I believe that those who read this declaration with rationality can distinguish between nepotism – appointed to a post by a member of the family – and a position provided by a competition voted by the base,” she added.
A few hours later, Rafizi said he was hosting the competition.
“As I have already said, I salute any candidate who wishes to introduce himself, because it will still ignite the spirit of democracy within the party,” he said in a statement, as Malay Mail reported.
Rafizi also announced a roadshow through Malaysia to engage with the PKR base on the Agenda and the Party reformist leadership.
“We will travel in various states to meet members of the face to face party, share our opinions and present our plans for the future,” he said.
Rafizi was under the spotlight last week after his leave sparked speculation that he could resign from the cabinet and put himself alongside the participation in the PKR management.
A key reason cited was how, during the Divisional Surveys of the Party last month, several Bigwigs lined up with him were defeated by opponents who would be lined up with Anwarthus weakening his chances of keeping his post.
But in a statement on Wednesday, Rafizi said he would defend his post with Anwar's blessing.
In addition to the fight against tight eyes for the post of assistant presidency, 12 candidates threw their name in the hat for four vice-president positions.
These include Holders Amirudin, the chief minister of Negeri Sembilan, Aminuddin Harun, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as well as the Minister of Sciences, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang.
They will be challenged:
- Ramanan, who is also the minister of assistant entrepreneurs and cooperatives
- Segamat Member Ryneswaran
- Bau Baru MP Sime
- Deputy Secretary General of the Sathia Prakash Nadarajan party
- Senator Abun Sunyit
- The former member of Selangor Exco Hee Loy Sian
- The former vice-president of PKR Mustaffa Kamil Ayub
- Head of the thumb division PKR Manivanan Gowin
