KUALA SELANGOR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has left it to PKR to decide whether the party’s top two positions should be contested in the upcoming election.
As party president, he emphasised his commitment to the democratic process and stated that he would not intervene in the matter.
“Let them decide… I will not interfere. Let democracy take its course… whether the positions are contested or not, let the party decide,” he told reporters today, as quoted by Berita Harian.
Anwar was speaking after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the Residensi Rakyat (PRR) Harmoni MADANI Bestari Jaya project. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming was also present.
Earlier, PKR International Bureau chairman Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin indicated that the party may not hold contests for the presidency and deputy presidency, currently held by Anwar and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, respectively. His remarks have sparked debate within the party, with some grassroots members calling for open contests while others support maintaining the status quo.
PKR veteran and Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has questioned the rationale behind potentially leaving these positions uncontested.
Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh previously announced that elections for the Central Leadership Council (MPP), the Central Women’s Leadership Council (MPWP), and the Central Youth Leadership Council (MPAMKP) will take place on May 24. Elections for divisional, women’s division, and youth division positions will be held between April 11 and 20.
The decision was made during an MPP meeting on January 26 after reviewing recommendations from the Party Election Committee (JPP) for the 2025-2028 term.
“The MPP also received a briefing on the ongoing membership verification process, voter registration for the 2025 election, and the membership fee payment system, which will be managed by the PKR Secretary-General’s Office from February 1 to March 16,” she said.
Nominations for divisional, women’s division, and youth division positions will be held from March 14 to 16, while central leadership nominations will take place on May 3 and 4.
Separately, Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has yet to decide whether he will contest in PKR’s internal elections in May. The Home Minister said he would take various factors into consideration before making a decision.
“I will perform istikharah (prayer for guidance) first,” he said briefly when asked about running for the deputy president position, which he lost to Rafizi in the 2022 party elections.
Speaking at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya earlier this month, Saifuddin recalled that Rafizi secured victory in the 2022 polls with a 16,668-vote majority.
Previously, PKR leaders hinted that the top two positions may not be contested in the upcoming election. Shamsul Iskandar, when contacted by Scoop, confirmed that discussions were ongoing to avoid contests for key posts.
“The negotiation process is ongoing, with the party considering whether the main positions should be contested. This includes discussions on the presidency and deputy presidency,” he said.
However, several PKR figures believe that an open contest for these positions would be beneficial for internal democracy.
Anwar, 77, is expected to retain the presidency uncontested, marking his third and final term, as the party constitution limits a president to three terms.
Political analysts have suggested that PKR will face challenges in finding a successor with Anwar’s level of influence and leadership. While potential candidates include Rafizi, Saifuddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, some experts believe none currently match Anwar’s political stature.
Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) previously told Scoop that PKR would need a structured succession plan to maintain voter confidence.
In December, PKR amended its constitution to replace the “one member, one vote” system for the top six leadership positions and 20 MPP members. Instead, the number of delegates eligible to vote for these roles has been increased. The amendments also introduced gender and ethnic quotas.
However, the “one member, one vote” system remains in place for elections at the division level. – February 15, 2025