Anwar, the de facto leader, is regarded as Pakatan Harapan’s PM-in-waiting and has announced his intention to formally contest to be party president.
However, it is deputy president Azmin Ali who is at the centre of attention. “Everyone is waiting for some clues from Azmin (about which position he will contest),” said a party leader.
There has been speculation about whether he would contest the party presidency, and come up against his mentor Anwar.
Azmin is “keeping it really close to his chest. But then again he is close to Anwar, so he might not contest the number one post,” said the party leader, who requested anonymity.
Another PKR politician, an MP, described this year’s elections as “almost like the mother of all elections for PKR”, because whoever becomes party president would likely be Malaysia’s next prime minister.
PKR elections are held once every three years. Nominations open at the end of this month, with polling to take place in August. PKR members can contest all posts. A few vice-presidents, however, are appointed.
On July 18, Azmin had said he was considering whether to defend his post as deputy president or go for the top. “I will make a decision on that at some point,” Azmin had told reporters in Parliament recently.
If Azmin decides to defend his deputy presidency, he might face a challenge from vice-president Rafizi Ramli, who is believed to be keen on becoming Anwar’s No. 2.
The odds are currently 60% in favour of Azmin, who is the minister of economic affairs, and 40% for Rafizi, who runs the Invoke Malaysia reform group, said the party insider.
“It depends who would be able to influence the members. But in the end it might favour Azmin as he is now a minister,” he said.
FMT is awaiting a response from Rafizi.
Azmin was re-elected MP for Gombak in the general election in May. Rafizi did not defend his seat in Pandan as he was convicted of leaking information about National Feedlot Corporation in March 2012. He has appealed against the conviction.
Earlier this month, Anwar announced that he would contest the party presidency in a decision seen as strengthening his move for a place in the new federal government.
To do so, he would need to seek election to Parliament, but no details have been revealed.
Before the general election, Pakatan Harapan had agreed that Dr Mahathir Mohamad would serve as prime minister in the first two years of the government’s term, with Anwar, then imprisoned, regarded as prime minister-in-waiting.