“Although PKR is a democratic and open party, Anwar’s position should be respected by all party members.
“He should be allowed to win uncontested in the party election,” Saifuddin said at the Parliament lobby today.
Saifuddin urged party members to give their support to Anwar.
He said it was even more difficult now for Anwar to lead the party compared to when the party started and when it was in the opposition.
This was because the party was now part of the government, he said.
Saifuddin said Anwar’s victory in the party polls would have a huge impact not only to PKR but also to the country’s political landscape.
He said if Anwar became PKR president, it would make him the leader of the largest party in Pakatan Harapan (PH) and elevate his position in the Pakatan Harapan presidential council.
Anwar, who was released from prison following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the May 9 election, recently announced that he would be contesting the PKR presidency.
He said he would assume the presidency during the national congress in November if he receives the mandate from the party’s grassroots.
The post is currently held by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the deputy prime minister.
Penang PKR chief Mansor Othman was reported as saying that while the members welcomed Anwar’s bid for the presidency, others should also be allowed to contest the post in the spirit of democracy.
“For the last 20 years, PKR has engendered the growth of democracy in Malaysia. Even our rival Umno has let go of its tradition of not allowing party members to contest the party’s presidency and other top posts,” he said.
Saifuddin said he was confident that PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali would not challenge Anwar for the party presidency.
“It is my personal view, I know him, Azmin will give a strong backing to Anwar,” he said.
Azmin has yet to decide on what post to contest at the party polls slated for the end of the month or early September.
He was reported as saying he would make the decision later as his focus now was on the current Parliament session which ends on Aug 16.
“At some point, I will make the decision. Right now, I only want to focus on the Parliament session,” Azmin, who is also the economic affairs minister, had said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said a decision would also be made on the post of PKR de facto leader, which is currently held by Anwar.
He said the party would decide whether to abolish the post.