Support for Azmin may not be as solid as it seems

Support for PKR vice-president Azmin Ali's bid for the deputy post in the upcoming party polls may not be as sound as it appears.

In fact, fellow vice-president R Sivarasa ( left ) says that he did not even know that his name was listed among the 18 out of 24 PKR parliamentarians and two senators who were said to be backing Azmin as deputy, although he has yet to announce his intention to contest.

"I didn't realise that I am in the list. I don't think it is appropriate to make it public now. It is still early," he said.

Another MP who had attended the press conference told Malaysiakini that he felt ‘duped' into giving his support in what he believes is a "ploy against Zaid Ibrahim".

The MP, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, claimed that he was informed that the press conference was for another purpose.

"I had no idea...I (came because I) got a mobile text message from another MP. I was quite surprised because (details) were not discussed," he said.

Confirming this, Batu MP Tian Chua ( left ), said that he was told that the press conference was merely to show support for any MP wanting to vie for top positions in the party.

"I support that an MP should take a prominent position in the party, but it is better to let the democratic process decide the respective posts," he said when contacted.

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

Nurul Izzah is said to be aligned to Zaid Ibrahim, who has announced his intention to run for the deputy post.

Incumbent deputy president Syed Husin Ali is the only one out of PKR's three senators not named.

Support Azmin if Syed Husin is out

Other parliamentarians named as supporters but who were absent from the press conference, nevertheless confirmed their support when contacted by Malaysiakini.

However, they said, this depends on whether or not incumbent Syed Husin Ali vacates the post.

"In terms of nomination, I have no objection (to Azmin) as long as Syed Husin does not contest...I think Azmin's intention is to contest if this condition is met," said Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh ( right ).

Unlike Sivarasa and Chua, Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian said that it is not too early to take a stand.

"Nominations for central posts will be held in two weeks time. We expect Syed Husin to announce whether he will contest or not after Hari Raya Aidilfitri (expected on Sep 10)," he said.

Meanwhile, a press conference by PKR state assemblypersons from Selangor and Negri Sembilan due this morning was postponed to tomorrow morning due to ‘technicalities'.

Confirming that it will be on the "same issue", Seri Muda assemblyperson Shuhaimie Shafie who had issued the media invite said that his officer had mixed up the dates.

Confusion among state assemblypersons

Confusion, however, seems to be the case among the state assemblypersons as well, some of whom admit to not even knowing of the press conference.

Speaking to Malaysiakini , Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Yaakop Sapari, said he was not aware of it as he is out of town.

Asked if he was consulted over whom he will support, he said: "I cannot tell you yet."

Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Ni ( right ), on the other hand, appeared to be unaware that the press conference was even postponed.

"I only found out this morning from the media. There were verbal invites to attend the one scheduled for today, but there were not many details," she said.

She added that there was no meeting to discuss which candidate they will support, but she believes that the PKR Selangor assemblypersons will back Azmin since "he is the party whip".

In Negri Sembilan, Chuah assemblyperson Chai Tong Chai was in the dark about the whole thing.

"I have yet to receive an invite. If I get one then I will attend," he said.

Like Yaakop and Gan, Chai was taken aback when told that 18 MPs had pledged their support for Azmin.

He said that he was not aware of it even though the press conference was chaired by fellow Negri Sembilan elected representative Kamarul Baharin.

"How can we support anyone if no one has been nominated yet? What if Syed Husin wants to contest too? It'll make things difficult," he said.

 

Additional reporting by S Pathmawathy.