Rashaad Ali, a research analyst at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ (RSIS) Malaysia programme, said although opinions on Azmin remained divided, the PKR deputy president was a “reasonable candidate for prime minister”.
“His rise to the position of Selangor chief minister and his success in the position indicate he has the mettle for greater responsibilities in the future,” Rashaad was quoted as saying by Today Online.
However, the analyst warned that Azmin, whose relationship with Anwar dates back to 1987, and whose management style he acknowledges was influenced by the jailed PKR leader, ran the risk of a stymied political career.
“As long as he (Anwar) remains politically active in opposition politics, Azmin will find it hard to step out of his shadow and realise greater political ambition,” Rashaad said in the report.
Azmin was appointed menteri besar on Sept 23, 2014, by Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Last June, he said he was focusing on strengthening the state government and had not considered the possibility of becoming prime minister.
Earlier this month, opposition pact Pakatan Harapan (PH) announced its chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the coalition’s candidate for prime minister if it wins the 14th general election (GE14).
PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was named as the candidate for deputy prime minister.
Early reports indicated that Selangor PKR had refused to endorse the choice of Mahathir as prime minister.
Its communications head, Hizwan Ahmad, said the candidate should have been picked from among leaders of PKR because it had struggled for 20 years to reform the country.
However, Azmin later said Mahathir was the “best option” the opposition coalition could offer to the people, and that the PPBM chairman would boost their confidence in PH.
“We must work hard and not focus only on the posts.
“Why do we want to focus on a single individual? We have to focus on our team,” he said.