‘My dad most qualified person to head PKR’

BUKIT MERTAJAM: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar (pic) says her father and party leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the most qualified person to hold the PKR president’s post.

She said her opinion was based on her involvement with PKR since its inception in April 4,1999.

“To me, (when) we see the history of the formation of any party, it will surely have its sentiments, its context and there will be a continuity for progress. And the name of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is inseparable from the party in that sense,” she said here yesterday.

Nurul Izzah, who is Permatang Pauh MP, was asked to comment on the statement by Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin who wants the party to open all positions up for contest, including the top post in the upcoming party polls next month.

“We compete, we hold office not to become a president, deputy and so on, but as a party to carry out reform policies and welfare programmes for the people,” Bernama reported her as saying after she presented certificates of excellence at the 2018 Awards Day at Sekolah Menengah Islam Al-Masriyah here.

Anwar had reportedly offered to contest the post of party president in the upcoming party elections next month.

In Alor Setar , Sungai Petani PKR MP Datuk Johari Abdul said Anwar should not be challenged out of respect as “he is the reason the party is where it is today”.

Johari said calls for Anwar to be made party president rose after PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was asked by his supporters to go for the top post.

“This could split the party right in the middle.

“We are the largest party in Pakatan Harapan and it took years of hard work to build PKR to this position.

“The younger leaders will still have time to take over the party leadership as Anwar is already approaching 70,” he said yesterday.

Johari, who is contesting the vice-president’s post, said he was “100%” sure of winning.

He also revealed that he would be appointed as the Pakatan Harapan Backbenchers Club president tomorrow.