PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has thrown his support behind incumbent deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali to defend the post in the coming elections and lead the party with Anwar Ibrahim.

While several party leaders have aligned themselves with Azmin’s rival, Rafizi Ramli, Shamsul said Azmin would make a strong deputy to lead the party with Anwar, who is so far the only candidate for president.

The duo would be “feared” by the opposition, Shamsul was quoted as saying by The Star.

Azmin was also loyal to the reformasi movement and had led Selangor towards excellence during his time as the menteri besar.

“He is now the economic affairs minister, a key portfolio under the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“The breadth of these two leaders’ experience will provide great value to PKR.

“They are also needed to carry out the reformasi agenda as the basis for government policies when Anwar takes over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” he told the daily.

Shamsul, who is deputy primary industries minister, appears to be the only other clear supporter of Azmin besides incumbent PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamarudin, who is also a minister.

Rafizi yesterday unveiled more than 20 party leaders who backed him for the deputy president’s post and who are contesting key positions in the party polls next month.

Azmin has not announced whether he will defend the deputy presidency or take on Anwar for president. – July 30, 2018.