PKR needs a combination of old and new faces leading the party, said its president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the party heads into internal polls with leaders taking sides.

“We want new and old faces.

“We need both, continuity is important but what’s more important is to increase the quality of life in our country for the people,” she said in a press conference at the PKR operations room for the Sungai Kandis by-election.

She was asked about the PKR elections to be held from September 7 to October 14 and the emergence of two camps under deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

“I support everyone in PKR. Democracy is a healthy practice and competition allows our party to grow and lift the spirits of the youth,” she said when asked about who she supported.

Rafizi is making a bid for Azmin’s post. The economic affairs minister has not announced whether he will defend his post or go for the presidency which will pit him against his mentor and PKR de-facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim.

On the resignations of Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman and acting-Sabak Bernam PKR Youth chief Abdul Mutalib Ahmad, Wan Azizah said she will wait for a report on the matter.

“I haven’t had the time to speak to the chairman and I will get a report from the state’s leadership council (MPN),” she said. Azmin is the chairman of the council.

Both leaders nepotism and cronyism in the party as the reasons for their resignation. – July 29, 2018.