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Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim wins party presidency uncontested

PETALING JAYA — Almost 20 years after the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was formed in 1999 on the back of the “Reformasi” protest movement triggered by his sacking from the Malaysian Cabinet, Mr Anwar Ibrahim can finally ditch the de facto leader label after he won the presidency uncontested on Sunday (Aug 5).

Mr Anwar Ibrahim is set to take over from his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat since its founding.

Mr Anwar Ibrahim is set to take over from his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat since its founding.

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PETALING JAYA — Almost 20 years after the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was formed in 1999 on the back of the “Reformasi” protest movement triggered by his sacking from the Malaysian Cabinet, Mr Anwar Ibrahim can finally ditch the de facto leader label after he won the presidency uncontested on Sunday (Aug 5).

Mr Anwar takes over from his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been party president since the founding of PKR.

“For the position of president, only one nomination was received from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” PKR party election committee secretary Ismail Yusof announced after the end of nominations.

Mr Ismail said unofficially there is no contender against Mr Anwar, 70, noting that the candidates list will only be finalised after a six-day display from August 8 to allow for objections to the candidates.

Mr Anwar’s nomination was proposed by Dr Wan Azizah – who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Family and Community Development – and seconded by outgoing PKR strategy director Sim Tze Tzin.

Mr Anwar holds no positions in Parliament or the government, but has hinted that a lawmaker from the Pakatan Harapan coalition would eventually give up his or her position to trigger a by-election to pave the way for him to be the next prime minister.

Dr Wan Azizah’s incumbent deputy, Mr Mohamed Azmin Ali, had kept everyone guessing until the last minute, as speculation was rife previously that he would either defend his post against Mr Rafizi Ramli or go up against Mr Anwar for the top post.

But at around 4.45pm on Sunday, representatives of Mr Azmin, who is Economic Affairs Minister, sent in his nomination form for the party deputy president post, ending all speculation.

Mr Anwar had held the unelected position of PKR de facto leader since the party’s inception in 1999, as imprisonment in two sodomy cases prevented him from holding office.

He is free to actively participate in politics again when he received a royal pardon following his release from prison after the general election in May that the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad won.

Outgoing PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had last month said he hoped no one will contest against Mr Anwar as he is an “institution”, saying that the latter should be allowed to win uncontested.

Mr Saifuddin had also said that PKR will decide after the PKR elections on whether to abolish the post of de facto leader or to appoint a successor to the role.

Sunday was the nomination day for the PKR party’s central leadership positions, including the president, deputy president, four vice-presidents and 20 spots in the central leadership council.

Also up for nominations were the chief, deputy chief, vice chief and central leadership posts for the PKR youth and women’s wings.

Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Mr Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah, is defending her current position as PKR vice-president.

Mr Ismail, the party election committee secretary told Malay Mail that party polls are expected to kick off in September and conclude in early October. MALAY MAIL

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