PAKATAN Harapan’s grand finale ceramah in Sungai Kandis ended early last night after four scheduled speakers failed to turn up, including PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Anwar, her husband, was unable to attend as he was “unwell”.

“I want to convey my husband’s regards to everyone here. He was supposed to be here tonight, but we pray for him… he was here for two nights before this,” said Dr Wan Azizah, who is also deputy prime minister. 

She replaced Anwar as the anchor speaker in Taman Sri Andalas at the last event in the Sungai Kandis by-election campaign.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar were the PKR leaders who also spoke at the event.

Anwar had hit the campaign trail as soon as he returned from Turkey, where he had received treatment for his shoulder and hip. He made his first visit to the state constituency at a ceramah on Tuesday night in Jalan Kebun.

The three other absent PH leaders were Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general; Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, who is Amanah president; and, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is PKR vice-president. 

Lim was absent as he had to return to Penang, while Mohamad was in Langkawi to attend an event with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. No explanation was given for Nurul Izzah’s absence.

Anwar’s no-show came amid rumours of a rift between him and Azmin. 

Several audio clips have emerged on social media, in which a voice purportedly belonging to Anwar is heard slamming Azmin and Dr Mahathir. Anwar denies that it was his voice.

Anwar is set to take over the party presidency from Dr Wan Azizah in the coming party polls, but rumours have it that Azmin may challenge his mentor for the post. 

Azmin has yet to announce if he will go for the top post or defend his deputy presidency, for which he will face a tough challenge from outgoing vice-president Rafizi Ramli. It is widely believed that Rafizi has Anwar’s support to take on Azmin.

Azmin sat next to Dr Wan Azizah throughout last night, and the two exchanged no more than a few words.

Polling for the Sungai Kandis by-election is today. The  seat fell vacant after the death of incumbent Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei on July 2.

PKR’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni will fight Barisan Nasional’s Lokman Noor Adam and independent K. Murthy to retain the seat for PH. – August 4, 2018.