Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the contest for the deputy president’s position currently held by Rafizi Ramli would be a particular point of focus, and that party president Anwar Ibrahim would likely remain at the helm.
He said delegates would also focus on the vice-presidents position currently held by Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, and ministers Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Chang Lih Kang.
“The incoming line-up will reflect PKR’s future leadership and have room for new leaders,” he said.
His comments followed Anwar’s call for the party polls to be expedited, which National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said might be to establish the party’s position before it seeks a new mandate at the general election.
“He may want the polls expedited to prepare a line-up of leaders comprising faces old and new, and most importantly determine the new leaders that will be introduced ahead of GE16,” Azmi told FMT.
In October, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said the party polls would be held after May next year when the mandate of the current leadership ends.
Bilcher Bala of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said Anwar had called for the polls to be expedited to ensure that PKR remains competitive in current politics.
“PKR will ensure that its leadership remains relevant and responsive. This is also a chance for young leaders to take on bigger roles, while appreciating the struggles of those before them,” he told FMT.
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