Nothing undemocratic about ‘de facto’ post

By Rahmah Ghazali - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: PKR delegates today defended the position of Anwar Ibrahim as the de facto leader despite rising criticism that it is tantamount to dictatorship.

Terengganu delegate Fariz Musa said the de facto position was created through a democratic process three years ago during the party national congress, he said when debating the presidential address at the second day of the PKR national congress.

He said that Anwar’s position cannot be disputed, as it was the delegates who agreed to create the position for him and not the other way round.

“We have to continuously defend Anwar’s position in the party, but by defending it, we do not mean that he is untouchable,” he said, describing Anwar as the party's “main weapon”.

“In the party national congress in 2007, we had unanimously passed a resolution to create a de facto position for Anwar. It was our decision to put him up there,” he said.

Observers and politicians alike have criticised the position of the “de facto” leader, suggesting that the party must allow it to be challenged during the party elections.

But it did not go down well with party leaders, who argued that the position should be formalised and be placed above the party president, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in order to recognise Anwar’s role and influence in the party.

“All the accusations that Anwar is the only one who deserves to be the de facto leader because he cannot take criticisms are a lie and slander,” said Fariz.

“We are not denying freedom of speech, but if you want to criticise your own party leader, there’s an appropriate avenue for it,” he added.

Anwar can be removed if…


Despite the controversy surrounding the matter, Fariz argued that Anwar can only be removed as the de facto leader through a democratic process.

“If he (Anwar) cannot do his duty as what was given to him, the members can table a motion (of no confidence) at the divisional level and convey it at an emergency congress.

“So his position can only be eliminated through this process. Think about it: there’s actually nothing undemocratic about this and we didn’t create the position without any purpose,” said Fariz, who at the end of his speech, received a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, Srikandi delegate Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail also shared the same view with Fariz, saying that Anwar’s position cannot be questioned.

“We did not put him on the pedestal so we could glorify him, but we sympathised with him for what he had gone through,” she said.

She also drew a comparison with PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

“Why can’t we have this position reserved for Anwar if PAS already has one? We should be proud that there is someone to advise us on the party.

“Anwar’s position as the de facto leader cannot be questioned at all,” she said.