'I joined before Anwar, can I be top man?'

By B Nantha Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR: A PKR grassroots leader has dismissed the argument that seniority is an important factor in choosing candidates during the upcoming party polls.
The leader from Jasin, Malacca, was responding to Teluk Kemang MP Kamarul Bahrin Abas who said that Azmin Ali was the right choice for deputy president due to his years of service.

"My question is, we all know Anwar Ibrahim only joined the party officially in 2005. This means that I am more senior because I joined in 1999. Does this mean I am more qualified to become adviser?" he asked.

The leader, who declined to be named, said while he did not back Azmin's rival, Zaid Ibrahim, he however felt that the vice-president was not suited for the number two slot.

Azmin, he added, was difficult to meet or contact.

"I believe that the majority of party members will agree with me on this. We do not want an anonymous deputy president," he told FMT.

He said PKR was on track to capture Putrajaya in the next polls and the party required a “thinking politician” like Zaid instead of a “pure politician” like Azmin.

The grassroots leader said he would issue an official statement on this matter once the division elections were over.

Anwar must clear the air

Meanwhile, another grassroots leader expressed disappointment with yesterday's press conference where Kamarul Bahrin had expressed the support of 18 MPs and two senators for Azmin.

“Why are these MPs so desperate to show their support now when the party polls is only in November? This is clearly a case of Umno minds working in PKR,” he said.

The leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said hewas being flooded with phone calls from party members asking if Anwar was backing Azmin.

"As a hardcore PKR party member, I am asking Anwar to clear the air over his stand. Is he supporting Azmin or not?" he asked.