AZMIN Ali’s close relationship with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be used against him in the PKR elections, as he defends the deputy presidency, said party insiders.

Vice-president Rafizi Ramli is mounting a stiff challenge for the number two post. Azmin is expected to confirm his decision whether to go for the top post or retain his position after the Sg Kandis by-election this Saturday.

The former Selangor menteri besar-turned-economic affairs minister is now facing allegations that he and his camp have turned their backs on PKR’s reform movement.

There are also talks that Azmin’s camp preferred Dr Mahathir continuing being the prime minister, instead of making way for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Rafizi’s supporters are also spreading the narrative that Azmin is beholden to the prime minister and that their relationship began during his university days.

The move to play up Azmin’s relationship with Dr Mahathir is seen as an attempt to drive a wedge between him and Anwar, who is contesting for the party presidency.

Anwar is set to take over the party from his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been the PKR president since the party’s inception. She is making way for Anwar to take up the post before he is made prime minister.

“PKR leaders appointed to the cabinet are being accused of hampering reforms and the struggle to make Anwar prime minister. That is how they will make Azmin look bad,” one source said.

Part of the campaign included social media postings showing PKR ministers going for several top positions in party. These ministers are said to be aligned to Azmin.

A Selangor PKR source said the rejection of Azmin was reflected by the huge crowd which turned up to support Rafizi when the latter announced his candidacy for the deputy presidency.

“Grassroots members from all levels turned up when Rafizi announced he was going for the No. 2 post. Party veterans also turned up to hear what Rafizi had to say.

“There were also MPs and state reps from Selangor. They are backing Rafizi, hoping that he can carry the party’s reform agenda. He still has that reform spirit in him,” the source added.

In Perak, some grassroots leaders shared the same sentiments about Rafizi and Azmin.

Party leaders who support Azmin are labelled as being materialistic, a branch secretary there said.

“To me, Rafizi is the one who will steer PKR back to its original path, with the reform spirit that is cleaner and more honest.

“We want to bring back Anwar and only Rafizi can do it, not Azmin,” the source said.

While Rafizi has declared war and announced the names of his running mates, Azmin is still coy about his party election plans, whether he will defend the post or challenge party boss Anwar for the presidency.

In Rafizi’s “20 tahun reformasi” (20 years of reform) camp are incumbent vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, MPs Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), William Leong (Selayang) and S. Kesavan (Sungai Siput). They are all gunning for the vice-president posts.

Deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh is going for the Wanita PKR chief post while Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir is eyeing the Youth chief position.

Outgoing Youth chief and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is also with Rafizi, and will be aiming to win a seat in the central committee.

Abdullah Sani, who is also contesting for a post in the PKR central committee in Rafizi’s team, said the former Pandan MP was a better choice than Azmin, whom he said had not done much for PKR.

“Azmin is not lacking but there is another who is better than him, so we are picking the better person.

“Azmin did not focus much on the party throughout the time he held the important leadership position. There is not much contribution on his part.

“We have not seen him carrying the true reform agenda,” Abdullah said. – August 3, 2018.