Trouble in PKR over Anwar’s leadership picks

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 29 Dec 2018 11:37AM · 7 Comments

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim (right) and his deputy Mohamed Azmin Ali do not see eye to eye on the party leadership appointments. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 29, 2018.

TROUBLE is brewing in PKR over the president’s recent leadership appointments, which his deputy said must follow “fair and just representation”.

Deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali said the selection did not reflect the members’ aspirations and would not help the party move forward.

“Some of the individuals who were appointed were directly involved in dubious practices during the just-concluded party polls which have resulted in divisions in the party,” said Azmin in a statement today.

He called on Anwar Ibrahim to review the appointments to the central leadership council (MPP) and said he felt it should have taken the grassroots’ views into account.

His statement comes hours after Anwar announced the appointments, which include former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli as PKR vice-president as part of the council’s line-up.

Anwar also announced the appointment of Tanjung Malim MP Chang Lih Kang and Saratok MP Ali Biju as vice-presidents.

Ali will be representing Sabah and Sarawak.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail remains the party’s secretary-general, while Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung has been appointed the new treasurer-general.

Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has been made the party’s supervising secretary, and Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin its information chief.

Azmin statement comes hours after Anwar announced new leadership appointments, which include former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli as PKR vice-president. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 29, 2018.

Azmin appeared to take a dig at Saifuddin over his reappointment as secretary-general.

Saifuddin has come under the spotlight for his handling of the party elections, which was mired in controversy.

“The secretary-general’s post is important and has to be held by a professional and capable person who understands management and administration work.

“He also has to carry out party decisions reached by consensus, and not take a separate stand on issues,” he said in the statement.

Azmin said appointments to the party leadership council should be merit-based, and not be rewards or bribes to ensure support in the central leadership council.

“I informed the president of my stand several weeks ago, and I urge him to give it serious consideration to ensure a solid and inclusive future for the party,” he said. – December 29, 2018.

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Comments

  • This is where the problem starts..
    DSAI now playing politics and once you appoint leaders, which is against party protocols or against the wishes of party members, it will slowly eat into and erode confidence in the PKR leadership.. to be precise Anwars leadership.
    Unhappy Members will then look at options and soon there will come at time, possibly when DSAI is due to assume the PM premiership position, when massive protests would take place against his appointment by party members and also coalition members..
    Party hopping will start and soon confidence in PKR will begin to further erode..
    This will give room for other coalition parties to taker leadership positions. Opposition parties would then band together and play their politics to their advantage..
    DSAI... PLEASE dont screw up your position. People are watching. Your premiership in 2 years is NOT GUARANTEED. Please adhere and follow party protocols..
    Appointing your so called prodigy, the scheming & manipulative Rafizi, as VP wasnt a wise move. Obviously Nurul gave up her VP position, not because she was tired of the politics, but part of a Grand Scheme to Hoodwink the people into believing PKRs pretences and making way for Rafizi to be part of leadership.
    DSAI, this is not the way.. Dont ABUSE YOUR POSITION. YOU ARE NOT A PM YET. There is a long way to go..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Coming to End for PKR Well Done Anwar.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • These appointments are the President's prerogative, same like the appointments in the Cabinet are the PM's prerogative. If Azmin is not happy, he should have run to be PKR's president during the party election. Nak menang Deputy President pun semput.

    Posted 5 years ago by Iliyas Jamil · Reply

  • Azmin is showing his true colors. All the years he buddy buddy with Anwar but at the same time unknown to Anwar he was actually building his own powerhouse. Now the time is right for him to drop Anwar and assume his position in PKR. Good luck to Anwar if he can survive this onslaught.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • PKR like Umno is on the road to demise. The unity and the fracas in PKR is now more than a trivial concern that can be passed in the guise as democracy in play. It is a real power contention and can be very ruthless with loser going out in the horizon with total lost. Well what to expect when PKR DNAs are just from Umno where nothing great comes from it. Bersatu will also face similar precarious situation when the d man loses his grip. That is why so much of emphasis by the old man on values and dilligency but it is falling on deaf ears for to have thorough cleansing the race themselves has to be brave and embrassed a new outlook from the old schools of thoughts in agama dan bangsa. They can always scream and shout with passionate cries for their love of the country and pledging that it is multi racial in outlook with everyone bein treated equally is just a farce but fool nobody and not even themselves too. They know that it is only hot air and everything is just as it was

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Does not look good for PH...hope good sense prevails....otherwise the thieves will have it easy to make a comeback.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Looking after self interest and expanding one's agenda OR is the party really looking after the Rakyat's interests or agenda????

    Posted 5 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply