FULL REPORT SHAH ALAM: Thirteen PKR Selangor and Negri Sembilan assemblymen today voiced their support for Azmin Ali to be the party's next deputy president. According to Kota Anggerik assemblyman Yaakob Sapari, the support from the nine Selangor and four Negri reps was vital because it would determine the future direction of the party.
Azmin is Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman. He also holds the position as the party Selangor chief.
Yaakob, however, was quick to deny that the latest development would influence support for other individuals who want to contest for the No 2 post.
"The election this time around reflects a new movement. It is important to choose a leader who is able to steer the party in the right direction," Yaakob said.
"So there is no such thing as a conspiracy to topple anyone in the upcoming party elections," he said, in an apparent reference to Pakatan Rakyat coordinator Zaid Ibrahim, who has also voiced his intention to contest.
Yaakob stressed that Azmin's candidacy was "appropriate" as he is also the Selangor PKR chief.
"With the assemblymen's support, we believe he is able to continue leading the party," added Yaakob.
If the support is translated to votes, Azmin would have the upper hand compared to Zaid, who just joined the party from Umno last year.
This will be the likely scenario although incumbent deputy president Syed Husin Ali has yet to say whether he would defend his post.
Azmin is not new in the party
Meanwhile, state exco and Andalas assemblyman Xavier Jayakumar believed that Azmin is capable of bringing changes in the party.
Having known Azmin since 1997, he said Azmin's leadership was tested when the de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was put behind bars.
"He is not new in the party. I knew him since 1997 and together, we made some important party decisions when Anwar was jailed.
"We worked really hard to counter the attacks thrown at the party. Now it is time for a senior leader like him to take over. And this support would later translate to our preparation to take over Putrajaya," he said.
Asked why it was necessary to give Azmin public support although he is already a well-known figure, Xavier said "the lobbying process cannot be separated from politics”.
"Such political process is normal in Malaysia or other countries. Tell me which country has not practised this? Even (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad had lobbied for his position," Xavier said.
He also denied that the support arose because of Anwar's interference.
"This issue of (having Anwar's support) does not arise. This is a resolution by the assemblymen who have voiced their support," he said.
Present at the press conference were Selangor representatives Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Andalas), Shuhaimi Shafie (Seri Muda), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Seri Setia) and Amirudin Shari (Batu Caves).
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