AN online petition proposing a vote of no confidence against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is quickly gaining its targeted 1,000 signatures.

The petition was uploaded on Wednesday by one Aisyah Ismail, and circulated by the “Pejabat Timbalan Setia” Facebook account, known for having staged an anti-Anwar campaign.

Party leaders close to him have dismissed the petition, saying his presidency is determined by PKR, and not the signatories of an online petition.

“This is a democracy. Anyone can petition. It is not a problem if they want to make (a petition). In the end, the position of the president is not determined by the petitioner, but the PKR congress,” Kedah PKR chairman Johari Abdul told The Malaysian Insight.

The petition outlines 20 reasons Anwar is unfit to continue to lead PKR and should not be allowed to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We hope that with this, we can assure the people and the prime minister that Anwar should not be appointed prime minister and that PKR members have agreed to replace Anwar with other party leaders,” it reads.

The petition comes as PKR is deep in the throes of an internal crisis rooted in a power struggle between Anwar and his deputy, Mohamed Azmin Ali, which became apparent in the party elections a year ago.

A PKR branch leader, who insisted on anonymity, said the petition is an avenue for the grassroots to have their say, even though it has no legal standing.

“Many (members) are angry with Anwar, and this has led to a split in PKR.

“Anwar has no grassroots support, which is why he has nominated many of his supporters to senior leadership positions.”

He also predicts that the party’s crisis will continue until the PKR elections next year.

Meanwhile, pro-Anwar group Otai Reformasi said the petition is a gimmick to divert public attention from the power transition issue.

Its secretary, Abdul Razak Ismail, described it as a scheme engineered by “a new generation of politically trained” individuals.

The petition will not have an impact as it is not recognised by the party constitution, he said.

“This is not a process of choosing the best singer who people can vote for online. This petition (calling for a vote of) no confidence in the president is not in line with the party constitution.”

Johari said the anti-Anwar group’s actions are hampering the government’s agenda to serve the people.

“We should now focus on building the country, and not on the transition of power.”

Dr Mahathir has said he prefers to stay in office until November, when Malaysia hosts the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

Anwar joked in a Reuters interview this week that after waiting 20 years, he should have no problem waiting until November to become prime minister.

Pakatan Harapan had agreed prior to coming to power that Dr Mahathir would serve as prime minister until Anwar was ready to take over, but did not specify a timeline. However, it is generally thought to be for a period of two years.

Several parties, including Azmin and PAS, have urged Dr Mahathir to serve his five-year term in full. – February 8, 2020.