Anwar Ibrahim is PKR president

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 5 years ago · Published on 5 Aug 2018 5:17PM · 4 Comments

This is the first time Anwar Ibrahim has assumed an elected post in the party. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 5, 2018.

ANWAR Ibrahim today won the PKR presidency uncontested, moving one step closer to becoming the next prime minister.

At the close of party nominations at 5pm today, Anwar was the sole candidate for the party’s highest executive position.

This is the first time Anwar has assumed an elected post in the party. He will replace his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been president of the party since its inception.

Anwar filed his nomination papers at 11.15am.

Earlier, it was widely speculated that Anwar would be challenged by his one-time protege Azmin Ali, but that fizzled out when the latter decided to defend his deputy president’s post.

Azmin’s nomination papers were submitted by Selangor Menteri Besar Amiruddin Shaari and PKR Youth chief candidate Afif Bahardin at 4.50pm.

Earlier this morning, outgoing vice-president Rafizi Ramli filed his nomination papers, also for the position of deputy president, making it a straight fight between himself and the economic affairs minister.

Sim Sze Tzin holding Anwar Ibrahim's nomination papers at the party's headquarters in Petaling Jaya today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, August 5, 2018.

For the past two decades, Anwar has been PKR’s de facto leader and adviser, and led the party with his wife and deputy prime minister.

Between 1998 and this year, Anwar has spent almost a decade in jail over corruption and sodomy charges.

Anwar was jailed for abuse of power and sodomy between 1999-2004 (overturned in 2004) and then jailed again for sodomy from 2015-2018.

The former deputy prime minister (1993-1998) was given a royal pardon after Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya in May and was released on May 16.

Anwar is widely expected to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as part of a Pakatan Harapan agreement when the 93-year-old steps down in 2020.

But before he can make his comeback, Anwar still has to contest in a parliamentary by-election.

This is the first time the 70-year-old is contesting an executive position since the party was founded in 1998. – August 5, 2018.

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Comments

  • Will Anwar still be chosen to replace Dr.Mahathir at this stage of govt reforms? And can the two of them be able to work together to advance Malaysia's interests?..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Mr Mahathir at 93 is too advanced in age. It is questionable whether his physical body can take the daily grind. It is far better Mr Anwar takes over a prime minister as soon as possible. Mr Mahathir should be given the opportunity to retire in peace and without stress. He has afterall achieved his goal on toppling that scandalous Najib Tun Razak. He can retire now peacefully. Malaysians generally voted for you Mr Anwar Ibrahim. Do not let that ever slip your mind.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ari . · Reply

    • Mahathir is Protoss in StarCraft

      Posted 5 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply

  • DSAI must contest a Parliamentary seat ASAP and upon becoming an MP, Tun M should gracefully retire. After all it was Tun M's wish to oust the old regime which was done by the rakyat with Tun M at the helm of the campaign.Thank you Tun.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ramakrishnan Thangavelu · Reply