After his unsuccessful bid for the position, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appears to be continuing to lead the Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR ) as president.
Nominations for group command positions ended on May 9 at 11:59 pm, with Anwar’s name the only candidate to challenge for the PKR presidency, according to national news agency Bernama.
Nurul Izzah, Nurul Izzah’s girl, and Rafizi Ramli, Malaysia’s economy minister, are expected to face off in a two-horse competition for the top two posts in the meantime.
After all, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who lost the PKR assistant president challenge to Rafizi in the previous election in 2022 and is said to be considering a second charge, won’t be running for any office.
Omar Mokhtar Manap, Saifuddin’s secretary, claimed Saifuddin made the decision after speaking with many major party leaders.
His information is for everyone to continue on the course of battle, to work hard to strengthen the group, and to prioritize two important objectives: ensuring Anwar Ibrahim serves a second word as prime minister, Omar was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Now.
Following the close of nominations, PKR has not yet formally announced the candidates for the different leadership positions in the May 23 election.
According to Bernama, the last list of candidates may be made public on May 15, with May 11 through May 12 set aside for any objections to the votes and May 13 through May 14 for criticism appeals.
May 14 is the removal deadline, while May 15 and May 22 may become campaigning.
The May 23 election is the first command challenge for the PKK since Anwar became prime minister in 2022.
Those elected later this month did hold office for three years until 2028, and they are expected to guide the party until the party’s upcoming standard election, which must be held by February 2028.
Because the party’s law only allows for the president to serve two terms in a row, Anwar, 77, will have served his last term as president of the PKR.
So, the deputy president position is thought to be the path leading to his potential replacement in PKR.  ,
Given the backing she has received from party regional leaders, economists have told CNA that Nurul Izzah, who is now one of PKR’s four vice-presidents, has a good chance of winning.
However, the authorities warned that her reputation may be harmed by allegations of corruption.
Nurul Izzah, a two-term Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh in Penang before losing her parliamentary seats in the 2022 general election, was known as the” Reformasi Princess” for her role in the campaign for her husband’s release from prison 20 years ago.  ,
Following a wave of support from group bigwigs, including Selangor’s deputy minister Amirudin Shari, the head of the youth movement Adam Adli, and learning secretary Fadhlina Sidek, Nurul Izzah was nominated for the PKR deputy presidency position.  ,
More than 150 of the group’s 222 divisions have pledged aid for Nurul Izzah’s election, according to R Ramanan, the group’s lieutenant information chief, according to reports in the media.  ,
Nurul Izzah, 44, refuted allegations that the party’s nomination for president stifles corruption and aristocracy elections.  ,
She wrote on Facebook,” I’m not interested in any Cabinet posts, even if I were to win the position of deputy president.”  ,
” I think those who read this statement with reason you tell the difference between corruption, which is being appointed to a place by a family member, and one that was created by a local vote,” she continued.  ,
Hours afterward, Rafizi declared his satisfaction with the competition.
As I’ve already stated, I welcome any candidate who wants to move, as this will help to spread the party’s spirit of democracy, he said in a speech as reported by Malay Mail.
Rafizi also announced a show to discuss the party’s liberal agenda and direction with the Malaysian electorate.
We’ll be traveling to several states to meet with members of the party face-to-face, exchange our opinions, and discuss our future plans,” he said.
Rafizi has been in the news this week after taking a vacation that sparked rumors that he might step down from the Cabinet and stop running for the PKR command elections.
One of the main points raised was how, at the group’s administrative polls next month, several bigwigs who were aligned with him were defeated by those who were thought to be in favor of keeping his post.
Rafizi, however, stated in a speech on Wednesday that he would seek Anwar’s approval to defend his position.
Twelve candidates have entered the helmet for four vice-president positions in addition to the closely watched fight for the lieutenant presidency.
Amirudin, the current head of Negeri Sembilan, Aminuddin Harun, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the chancellor of natural resources and environmental conservation, and Chang Lih Kang, the minister of science, engineering, and innovation.  ,
They may face challenges from:
- Ramanan, who is also the Minister of Economic Development and Cooperatives, is likewise Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
- R Yuneswaran, a member of Parliament in Segamat,
- Sim Tze Tzin, a Bayan Baru MP
- Sathia Prakash Nadarajan, assistant secretary-general of the party,
- Senator Abun Sui Anyit
- Hee Loy Sian, a former Selangor council member,
- Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, a previous PKR vice president,
- Manivanan Gowin, head of the PKR Jempol sector,