BANGI: PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has dismissed suggestions that splits have formed in PKR, and stressed that the principle of democracy is what has led to a tussle for the party’s second-highest post.
Her comments follow a recent announcement by Rafizi Ramli that he is throwing his hat in the ring in the race for PKR’s deputy president position.
Dr Wan Azizah, who was met after she launched the National Ambiliptic Games here, however, declined to elaborate further.
Rafizi’s announcement and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali’s reticence on his own plans for the party’s leadership poll have fuelled rumours of camps forming around both men.
Azmin’s political secretary Muhammad Hilman Idham has said that the Economic Affairs Minister welcomes the challenge by Rafizi.
But Azmin also made the ambiguous statement that he would welcome anyone who wants to “contest the posts of president, deputy, or any other position.”
The post of president has been seen as a lock for PKR de-facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, so Azmin’s comment has heightened speculation that he will face-off with his mentor for the top post.
It is also unclear if Dr Wan Azizah will make way for her husband Anwar to contest the post which she has held for 20 years.
The plot further thickened when the party’s outgoing Wanita chief, Zuraida Kamaruddin, called for PKR not to block challengers for the top leadership positions, while openly praising Azmin for his capabilities.
She has, however, reserved comments on whether she is supporting him should he contest the top post.
Anwar’s daughter, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, has said little about Azmin’s silence on his plans for the polls. When asked to comment, she had reportedly said: “What do you think?”
The Permatang Pauh MP, however, stated that all is well between her father and his protégé, Azmin. She has also repeatedly said that Rafizi deserves the same attention as her father in his fight for justice over the years.
Rafizi is embroiled in several court cases and was bound for two years last month on a good behaviour bond of RM10,000 in one surety for exposing a page of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) audit report.