Straight fight for PKR president’s post between husband and wife

PETALING JAYA: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will challenge incumbent party president, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail for the president post in the party election.

Their move is seen as a way to consolidate the family's control over the party if Anwar goes to prison pending his appeal on his sodomy 2 conviction.

Anwar filed his nomination papers at 11am on Saturday via his representative former PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, who acted as his proposer.

The nomination was seconded by PKR vice treasurer-general Low Chee Chong.

However, Wan Azizah's nomination was shrouded in secrecy, as her candidacy was not officially announced at the party's regular update, until the deadline was closed at 5pm.

The seconder Zara Zahari, when contacted, confirmed Wan Azizah's candidacy and that the nomination was submitted in the morning.

Anwar is appealing against his five-year jail sentence for sodomy at the Federal Court.

Under Section 9A(1)(b) of the Societies Act 1966, a person cannot become or remain an office bearer of a registered society if convicted of any offence and fined not less than RM2,000 or sentenced to jail for a term not less than a year.

This was not the first time the couple was nominated against each other.

In 2007 party elections Wan Azizah, Anwar and party veteran Abdul Rahman Othman were nominated however Wan Azizah won uncontested after both withdrew from the race. 

In 2007, Wan Azizah vied for the no 1 post as Anwar who was just released from prison and he had a five-year ban from actively involving in politics.