Only 3 leaders from Azmin's camp at meeting on PKR appointments

Nabihah Hamid Nabihah Hamid Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 Dec 2018 8:00PM · 9 Comments

Most PKR leaders close to Azmin Ali were absent at the party's MPP meeting on Friday, in which Anwar Ibrahim had decided on the appointment of the council's members. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 30, 2018.

THE PKR central leadership council (MPP) meeting that decided on the appointment of its members was held without the presence of many of its senior leaders, including deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, sources told The Malaysian Insight.

This was why Azmin protested the decisions made by party president Anwar Ibrahim when the latter pushed through the appointments last Friday.

Azmin did not attend the meeting chaired by Anwar – neither did three vice-presidents seen to be close to the deputy president. Another vice-president – Nurul Izzah Anwar – had recently resigned.

“The meeting was awkward. Imagine the deputy and three vice-presidents being absent. Some asked for a postponement of the meeting, but the president insisted on continuing,” said a party source who wanted to remain anonymous.

Another source said that the political bureau that meets on Tuesdays did not meet last week, and that all issues were carried forward to the MPP meeting on Friday.

Less than 24 hours after Anwar announced the MPP leadership line-up, Azmin had urged the president to review the decisions.

Azmin had said MPP appointments should be based on merit and “not as a remuneration or political bribery to seize political votes within the MPP”.

It is understood that Azmin was out of the country as of last Friday.

Vice-president Zuraidah Kamarudin, who is also housing and local government minister, had attended a ministry meeting on Friday evening, said another source.

Two other vice-presidents – Tian Chua and Dr Xavier Jayakumar – were on leave, they said.

PKR Women’s chief Haniza Talha was also absent as she is on umrah and had left for Mecca on Thursday, while Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, an MPP member, was also in Mecca.

The absent leaders are purportedly close to Azmin, and supported the deputy president when he was challenged by Rafizi Ramli during the recent party elections.

The Malaysian Insight learnt that only three leaders from Azmin’s camp were present at the MPP meeting. According to the source, the meeting had been held in a hurry.

“The leaders from Azmin’s camp asked that the meeting be postponed, but Anwar wanted to go ahead,” said a source.

One source says Anwar Ibrahim hastily called for the meeting to ensure minimal protest against those he wanted to appoint, including Rafizi Ramli as vice-president. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, December 30, 2018.

“Only a few from Azmin’s camp attended. Who dared to disobey in the meeting? He (Anwar) announced that evening. There was no discussion,” said the source.

Yesterday, Azmin questioned Anwar’s decision to retain Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as the party’s secretary-general. In his statement, Azmin alluded to the fact that he believed Saifuddin was unprofessional and incompetent.

“Reappointing Saifuddin Nasution again as secretary-general will cause an uproar among the grassroots as he has failed to carry out his duties. The party elections were chaotic. This itself brings Anwar’s name down,” said another source. 

Another source said Anwar had hastily called for the meeting to ensure minimal protest against those he wanted to appoint, including Rafizi as vice-president.

“If you were already were going to appoint Rafizi as vice-president, why allow him to contest (in the party polls), causing weeks of disputes,” the source said, referring to the dramatic elections between July and November.

At the same time, sociopolitical analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Anwar was right to give positions to those who opposed Azmin to balance the reformist party.

With about 75% of Azmin supporters holding senior positions in the party after the elections, Awang believed Anwar had chosen leaders close to himself to protect his influence in the party.

“Azmin protested because he expected that, when his camp wins, he can overcome and best Anwar’s political structure.

“Anwar appointed Rafizi and Saifuddin Nasution because he is comfortable with them. 

“Azmin is forgetting that the president has the power to make appointments,” he said.

Following Azmin’s criticism, Anwar defended his decisions, saying he wanted the party to be inclusive, especially after such a divisive election. 

“It’s (Azmin’s) personal view. I wanted it to be inclusive. (Azmin) wants some people out, I want everybody in,” Anwar had said in Port Dickson yesterday. – December 30, 2018.

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Comments

  • Seems like a goodbye wish for the GE15

    Posted 5 years ago by Nik Affendi Nik Mahmood · Reply

  • Huge split in PKR...could be trouble for PH.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • PKR WILL SPLIT .. just a matter of time.. DSAI wont make a good leader. His style is like a dictatorship rule..
    Dont know if he would make PM.
    A new opportunity for Azmis faction to start a new party. Or join Bersatu..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Umno is quite and observing and smiling to themselves.. they are waiting for an opportunity to move..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Anwar made a huge mistake in rushing the new appointments.. he shouldnt have done that.. as a respected statesman, he should have played a key role in consolidating the party..
    Now it appears that he may be the cause for the split in the party.. Cracks have already appearing.. and this time there may be no turning back..

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • Dirty politics. Azmin and his goons are biting the hand that feed them. Anwar is the President. At least have some respect, sit down and talk and resolve the problems internally. Boycotting the meeting isnt going to resolve anything. Do not think the ministrial jobs are yours to keep. There is already a big question mark on Azmin, our economic affairs minister holidaying with the enemy in Morocco.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • MI should not quote sources.Dont try to smear DSAI with your spin and fake stories.There are always 2 sides to a coin.MI will lose credibility like Utusan if continue with lies.

    Posted 5 years ago by Soma Govin · Reply

  • Why didn't they attend the meeting? Normally notice of meeting will be informed early..

    Posted 5 years ago by Mohd Kamsani Kasim · Reply

  • 'The president has the power to make appointments', says the PKR constitution. In politics, a good leader is one who has been a good follower, no matter what the position is in the party. Party matters should come first. No place in the world specially Morocco and Mecca is less than 12 hours away by flight.

    Posted 5 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply