PKR MPs, senators back Azmin for No 2

(Malaysiakini) The majority of PKR's representatives at both upper and lower houses of Parliament have pledged their support for Azmin Ali to contest for the party deputy presidency at the upcoming party polls.

Azmin, who is Gombak MP, has yet to officially state his intention to contest the post, but is widely speculated to do so soon.

Of PKR's 24 MPs, 18 have pledged support for Azmin while two out of three senators have expressed the same.

At a press conference at the party headquarters today, PKR supreme council member Kamarul Baharin Abas (right in photo) said that with Azmin as the deputy president, it would complement incumbent president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail's leadership.

"Azmin has gone through a rough path since the days of reformasi and he is dedicated to the party's struggle," said Kamarul, who is also Teluk Kemang MP.

Only a fraction of the entire group were present at the press conference today.

Other MPs present were Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), S Manikavasagam (Kapar), Loh Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya) and Amran Abdul Gani (Tanah Merah).

The remaining 12 are Abdullah Sani (Kuala Langat), Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan), Azan Ismail (Indera Mahkota), Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan), Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), Ab Aziz Ab Kadir (Ketereh), Yusmadi Yusoff (Balik Pulau), Rashid Din (Merbok), Tian Chua (Batu), William Leong (Selayang), R Sivarasa (Subang) and Ahmad Kasim (Kuala Kedah).

The two senators are Mustafa Kamal from Penang and Zamri Yusof from Kedah. PKR has a total of three senators, with the third being Syed Husin Ali who is the incumbent party deputy president.

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