PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim retains his position as the party’s supremo for the 2022-2024 term after being the only individual nominated for the post.
The matter was announced by PKR secretary general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a Facebook post today.
“With all due respect, I congratulate to Anwar for this,” the former minister added.
This is the second consecutive term Anwar has retained his post uncontested after being released from jail in 2018. At the time, he took over the spot from his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who also served as deputy prime minister back then.
It is to note that many quarters have urged the Port Dickson MP to relinquish his post following PKR’s disastrous electoral defeats in the Sabah, Melaka, Sarawak and Johor state elections.
However, Anwar decided against it, with several leaders from allies DAP and Amanah backing him as well.
While the presidency is confirmed, the coveted deputy presidency will see party behemoths Saifuddin and a “resurgent” PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli contesting for the post.
The spot fell vacant after long-time Anwar ally, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, defected with nine other PKR MPs to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in 2020, which also led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan Government.
On related matter, Nurul Izzah Anwar announced that she will not contest in the party polls this time around to focus on wooing fence sitters to support Pakatan Harapan for the 15th General Election.
“I will be prioritising my work in getting fence sitters to support us via the Ayuh Malaysia platform,” the Permatang Pauh MP said.
Reminiscing the past, Nurul Izzah said she was grateful for the support she received to become PKR vice president for three terms, until her resignation in December 2018.
“We have been betrayed, which led to Pakatan’s ouster. I wish to remind all that my resignation back then was not an end to my political career.
“It was for me to do some introspection…and remind all including myself of how important it is to regain the people’s trust on the party leadership and our original struggles,” she added.
Nurul Izzah then urged her supporters to give her the time and space to spearhead the Ayuh Malaysia movement, together with Rafizi, so as to not only regain the people’s confidence but also get a better understanding on the people’s plight post-COVID-19. – April 12, 2022.
