Anwar's faction out to clip MB's wings?
Published on: Wednesday, June 01, 2016
PETALING JAYA: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali could be staring at the same fate as his predecessor after some of his PKR comrades took allegations of sex and money in his administration to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.Some see it as an excuse to roll Azmin out and replace him with someone else from the party as there is a general fear that Azmin is slowly taking control of the party.The PKR deputy president has consolidated his position within the party with a good 70pc of the PKR members and leaders standing behind him.
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"Azmin has grown very powerful now and it will not come as a surprise if he takes over the presidency from Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the next party polls," said a party source.He has also mended his once shaky relationship with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and in spite of the failed negotiations for the Sungai Besar state seat in the upcoming by-elections, the PAS leaders respect him for not censuring them for supporting Khalid during the 2014 Selangor Menteri Besar crisis.Many of those who were seen as party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Wan Azizah loyalists have now joined Camp Azmin.If in the past, PKR was all about Anwar, his release from prison as well as his eventual "installation" as prime minister, things are no longer the same.
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Many PKR members and leaders believe the party can be destined for greater heights instead of merely being a tool for the Anwar Ibrahim agenda.They look to Azmin as the leader to take them towards that direction in the form of a strong federal Opposition or as a part of a Unity Government.
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"This is very disturbing for those who are still stuck in the old PKR agenda and loyal to Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah," added the source.Azmin has also been subtly coming out of Anwar's shadows and his recent reconciliation with his original mentor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad has further added to their concerns.So, said the source, his detractors are trying to knock Azmin down and cut him out with allegations of corrupt practices in his administration. "Rafizi's days as party secretary-general may be numbered. Be assured that he will be thoroughly roasted in the upcoming supreme council meeting," said the source.Rafizi the Pandan MP met officers from the investigation division for about an hour at the MACC headquarters."I have submitted information passed to me in relation to the running of the Selangor government and certain individuals."I cannot give specific details as it is against the law. "I hope the MACC will carry out a thorough investigation, putting aside politics and perception," Rafizi said.Rafizi noted that it was rare for a party leader to lodge a report against his own members, however he stressed that "it should be the way." "This should be something normal but we are so used to politicising every action. "As the secretary-general, I have been by the party's political bureau to make a report on misconduct by our own members. "This should be the culture. Be fair to both the state government and the MACC," he said."If there is a case, then investigations should be allowed," Rafizi added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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