In a speech at the PKR Youth congress here this morning, Saifuddin lamented that Anwar has not only been attacked by political rivals, but also his own party colleagues.

“There are even some who say that the president is a burden or a liability to his own party,” said Saifuddin, without mentioning any names.

“I am here today to remind PKR Youth, who will one day take over the party, of the importance of tradition and discipline. Respect the party’s hierarchy. Understand how decisions are made and abide by them.”

Saifuddin said Anwar is still the best candidate to lead Pakatan Harapan (PH) into the next general election.

Anwar retained the PKR presidency for the 2022-2024 term after being the only person nominated for the top post.

He also won the president’s post uncontested in 2018 following his release from prison, when he took over the position from his wife and former deputy prime minister, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Speaking to the media after his speech, Saifuddin noted that claims of Anwar being a “liability” to the party have dogged him since the party’s formation in 2003 because of the former deputy prime minister’s imprisonment.

However, he said PKR’s ascendancy over the past two decades have proved Anwar’s critics wrong.

Apart from highlighting the increasing number of state and parliamentary seats PKR has won since the 2008 general election, Saifuddin pointed to the party’s involvement in the formation of state governments, and the PH federal government, which took over power for 22 months until February 2020 after the last general election.

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