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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has retained the presidency of his ruling Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) unopposed for a final term. The real drama now lies in the battle to be heir-apparent.
His daughter, Ms Nurul Izzah, is challenging incumbent Rafizi Ramli for the number two spot, sparking outcry of nepotism in the party where only Datuk Seri Anwar or his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail - who now chairs PKR’s advisory council - have ever been president.
If Ms Nurul were to win the deputy president’s post, that would signal a comeback of dynastic politics that seemed to be on the wane. Two other political families in Malaysia, the Lim family of the Democratic Action Party and former premier Najib Razak, whose father Tun Razak Hussein led the country in the 1970s, have been losing prominence in recent years.
Najib is seeking to be put under house arrest for the remainder of his reduced six-year sentence related to the 1MDB scandal. He can submit another appeal for clemency next year,with a new Malaysian King presiding over the Pardons Board. But, a survey of over 1,200 Malaysians found that less than a third say he deserves an early release.
Follow ST’s coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.
PM Anwar retains PKR presidency; daughter vies for No. 2 post in party polls
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