MOHAMED Azmin Ali’s success retaining the deputy president’s post will strengthen PKR’s position in the government but in the long run, diminish the influence of president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, said analysts.

This is because Azmin’s allies now dominate most of the top posts in the party, they said.

Unofficial results at the end of the party elections yesterday showed Azmin’s dominance in three out of four vice-presidential posts and 15 out of 20 central leadership council spots.

His three vice-presidents are Zuraida Kamaruddin, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua.

Political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pari said Azmin’s dominance could be positive as a check and balance on Anwar.

The Port Dickson MP will be confirmed as president in the coming PKR annual congress being the sole nominee for the post in the recent elections. He is also in line to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

“Anwar cannot do anything he likes as the party leader. He will be monitored. 

“We can also expect Anwar’s legacy and the strength of his loyal followers to diminish gradually from national politics over time,” said Awang Azman, a political lecturer at Universiti Malaya.

Azmin’s dominance will also curb Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah’s rise in the party, although she won the highest number of votes in the vice-presidential race.

As of last night, the unofficial tally from 14 states minus seven divisions where results have yet to be confirmed shows Azmin ahead of his rival Rafizi Ramli by 5,275 votes.

The economic affairs minister, who has been PKR deputy president since 2010, is seen as more experienced in government administration compared with Rafizi, who is best known for his elections data analytics outfit, Invoke.

In addition to being a federal minister, Azmin was also Selangor menteri besar.

“Azmin’s win is good for Pakatan Harapan. He is seen as loyal and experienced and as someone who can strengthen the party with his experience,” said International Islamic Universiti Malaysia lecturer Tunku Mohar Tunku Mokhtar.

Tunku Mohar said, however, Azmin was opposed to PH’s formation at its start, preferring then to keep dialogue open with former Pakatan Rakyat ally, the Islamist party PAS. This door no longer appears open as PAS and Umno have agreed to cooperate with each other informally.

Among some PKR grassroots, Azmin’s hold on the deputy president’s post is seen positively because of his administrative experience.

Perak PKR information chief Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail said she was confident the Gombak MP would bring his success and achievements from having run the Selangor government and now his experience as a minister, to strengthen PKR.

Kapar branch secretary Mohd Ruzaini Mohd Sani also highlighted Azmin’s loyalty, having been with the PKR when it was a “reformasi” movement before it became a political party.

“With his achievements, he can bring the good policies from Selangor and the federal government to the party. 

“He was also a ‘reformasi’ pioneer, as with his allies. The party can only be stronger for it.” – November 12, 2018.