WHEN the 13th PKR congress opens this weekend, all eyes will be on newly minted president Anwar Ibrahim and if he can mend the rift between factions led by incumbent deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli, who fought a bitter and divisive battle for the number two post. 

Anwar is likely to appoint Rafizi to a post in the party and might do the same for others in his camp as a way to reunite members and keep Azmin’s influence in check, said observers.

Results from the party elections which began on September 23 show that Azmin controls the bulk of central leadership positions.

Members of Rafizi’s camp are likely winners in the Youth chief race, one spot as vice-president and a handful of seats in the central leadership council.

International Islamic Universiti Malaysia lecturer Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mokhtar said the win by Azmin’s camp is due to his strong influence in the party and Anwar will have to intervene.

“I think it has been suggested by (vice-president) Chua Tian Chang that Rafizi be given a leadership post,” said Tunku Mohar.

“(Despite the rivalry), we already know that PKR leaders have openly acknowledged Rafizi’s talent and leadership. His influence cannot be denied because of the stiff competition he gave Azmin in the elections.”

Azmin has been PKR deputy president since 2010 and has experience as Selangor menteri besar and now, as a federal minister, to add to his credentials. 

Rafizi was the former Pandan MP, had a stint as party secretary-general and is best known for his contributions to helping Pakatan Harapan win the 14th general election through his data analytics outfit, Invoke Malaysia.

Party veteran Dr Syed Husin Ali said mending the rift will not be too hard, as the views from within the party are that the Azmin-Rafizi rivalry is not as bad as portrayed by the media.

“I think some issues are amplified by certain quarters. It’s not as bad as depicted in the media.

“Anwar remains the best person to unite both factions. It will be a big challenge but I am confident of his leadership and the cooperation of the leaders at all levels,” Syed Husin told The Malaysian Insight.

Ultimately, PKR knows it has to get its act together as a party in government now, he added. 

The congress this weekend is also a “celebration” of first, PKR’s glory at having taken federal power, and second, the long-awaited fulfilment of Anwar as president after years of fighting off political persecution and what the party deems as politically motivated sodomy charges.

During that period, Anwar was given a special post as de facto leader while his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was the president.

“This congress is important because Anwar will set the agenda as to how the party, as part of the government, needs to be strengthened and serve the people,” Syed Husin said.

At the grassroots level, Hulu Selangor Youth chief Saifudin Shafi said the combo of Anwar and Azmin would be good for the party and would signal to everyone that the rival camps should continue working together.

“The Anwar-Azmin combo has long been awaited,” he said. 

“That Azmin’s camp has dominated the election results and only a few of Rafizi’s team members are in the leadership should ensure that there is cohesiveness and will not destabilise the party.”

As to Wan Azizah’s role, there are differing views as to how prominent she will remain in the party after Anwar takes over as president.

IIUM’s Tunku Mohar expects the deputy prime minister to continue supporting Anwar in PKR by playing a quieter role as the “first lady”.

“And when the time comes for Anwar to become prime minister, I don’t think she will be a minister any more,” he added.

However, Syed Husin said Wan Azizah can still contribute as an adviser.

“Not as a de facto leader because that was a special position for Anwar, but she could be an adviser.” – November 16, 2018.