PKR MPs, senators back Azmin for No 2

The majority of PKR's representatives at both upper and lower houses of Parliament have pledged their support for Azmin Ali to contest for the party deputy presidency at the upcoming party polls.

Azmin, who is Gombak MP, has yet to officially state his intention to contest the post, but is widely speculated to do so soon.

Of PKR's 24 MPs, 18 have pledged support for Azmin while two out of three senators have expressed the same.

At a press conference at the party headquarters today, PKR supreme council member Kamarul Baharin Abas (right in photo) said that having Azmin as the deputy president would complement incumbent president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail’s leadership.

"Azmin is a senior leader, who has undergone tough challenges; and he has been humiliated by his family in facing the challenges of reformasi,” said Kamarul, reading from a joint statement.

“When leaders from the same struggle abandoned the party for wealth and positions, Azmin stood firm and fought to defend the people,” he said, attempting to sell their choice candiate to the grassroots.

"The duty of shaping the culture of new politics in this country has to be translated by the leaders of Keadilan who have embraced the direction and the struggles of the party now and in the future," said Kamarul.

Kamarul added that PKR's direct election is "more meaningful" as the top leadership has the responsibility to carry forward the party's desire for change.

Azmin yet to confirm running

Asked whether Azmin will agree to contest, Kamarul said, "we have assurance otherwise we would have not express our opinions."

Attempts to contact Azmin (left) for his confirmation were however futile.

Women wing chief Zuraida conceded that Azmin has yet to declare his interest "out of respect for Syed Husin" who is still mum over whether he will be stepping down or not.

Kamarul clarified that speculation of incumbent Syed Husin's desire to continue on as the deputy are as of now "still just rumours".

"(Whatever) it is we are determined to see a contest with president Wan Azizah and Azmin in it," he said.

Also elaborating on Zaid's claim that members were attempting to hinder his candidacy, Kamarul said, "That is just an allegation. Besides, how could there be an attempt to topple if he does not even have a position in the party in the first place?"

He added that the leadership “must encompass forerunners who are qualified and confident in upholding the party's agenda”.

Speaking to reporters after the press conference, Sungai Petani MP Johari expressed that Azmin as the chief whip "should be given a chance as a leader, because he has done a great job".

"Zaid (right) on the other hand is new. We don't know his leadership style.

"I think Zaid is young in the party, and he should give time to understand how the party works. He should know the struggles of the party and the grassroots," stressed Johari.

Besides supporting Azmin for deputy, the MPs also encouraged other leaders to contend for the four vice-presidents posts and appealed to party members for support.

Zaid unperturbed

Question on the matter, Zaid said that he was confident the show of support for Azmin would not adversely affect his chances in the party polls.

"Keadilan is not a party controlled by the warlords and nominated spokesmen," the former law minister said in a mobile text message to Malaysiakini.

"The members who are city dwellers, taxi drivers, fisherman  and felda settlers  will decide, so (I) am not perturbed," he added.

Meanwhile, Syed Husin (left) expressed amusement with the press conference and refused to state whether he would be defending his post.

"It would be better if campaigning is done only after nominations have been made... But there are no hard and fast rules on this, so if they want to pledge their support it's up to them

"God willing, I will announce my decision soon. Maybe before Aidilfitri celebrations or after," he said when contacted.

Only a fraction of the entire group of pro-Azmin MPs were present at the press conference today.

Other MPs present were Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), S Manikavasagam (Kapar), Loh Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya) and Amran Abdul Gani (Tanah Merah).

The remaining 12 are Abdullah Sani (Kuala Langat), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan), Azan Ismail (Indera Mahkota), Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan), Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), Ab Aziz Ab Kadir (Ketereh), Yusmadi Yusoff (Balik Pulau), Rashid Din (Merbok), Tian Chua (Batu), William Leong (Selayang), R Sivarasa (Subang) and Ahmad Kasim (Kuala Kedah).

The two senators are Mustafa Kamal from Penang and Zamri Yusof from Kedah. PKR has a total of three senators, with the third being Syed Husin Ali who is the incumbent party deputy president.

Other than Azmin himself, five other PKR MPs who are not in the group are Anwar Ibrahim (Permatang Pauh), Nurul Izzah (Lembah Pantai), Saifuddin Nasution (Machang), Khalid Ibrahim (Bandar Tun Razak) and N Gobalakrishnan (Padang Serai).