PKR leadership race heats up as PM Anwar s daughter floated for No 2 spot

KUALA LUMPUR – A potential power shift is brewing within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR),with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter Nurul Izzah seemingly positioned to challenge his current deputy president for the role.

What looked set to be a low-key triennial party election on May 23 – with PKR president Anwar and his deputy Rafizi Ramli initially expected to return to their positions unopposed – could potentially turn into a three-way contest for the No. 2 position.

Party heavyweights on May 6 abruptly announced their backing of Ms Nurul Izzah, 44, the Prime Minister’s eldest daughter, to challenge Datuk Seri Rafizi, 47, the Economy Minister, for the deputy presidency.

Mr Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, Datuk Seri Anwar’s senior political secretary, led five divisions in Melaka in declaring their intention to nominate her as their choice for deputy president.

This was swiftly followed by PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari, Youth chief Adam Adli and the Women’s chief Fadhlina Sidek saying they would back her.

Datuk Seri Amirudin, who is Menteri Besar of Selangor state, said the party needs a No. 2 who is not tied to the government administration but can focus on strengthening PKR ahead of the next general election.

“I am confident that with Ms Nurul Izzah as deputy president, we can restructure the party into a strong line-up, regain public confidence and ensure PKR remains relevant, progressive and respected,” Mr Amirudin said in a Facebook post on May 6.

There could even be a third contender for the post. A group of 10 PKR Sarawak leaders on May 7 announced their support for Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, 61, to contest the position at the party elections.

Datuk Seri Saifuddin, the former PKR secretary-general, said he has not ruled out running.

The upcoming PKR elections will be closely