Dispute over Anwar’s eligibility

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to become the next president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat is being disputed just days before the party's national congress and election in Seremban this weekend.

His rival for the top post, Abdul Rahman Othman, has lodged a protest with the party’s election committee, pointing out that Anwar’s nomination was not valid under the party constitution.

Rahman said the PKR constitution clearly stated that anyone who had been barred by the law from holding posts in any society could not be elected or even nominated to party posts.

“Our party constitution is even stricter than the Societies Act when it comes to this matter.

“The Societies Act only bars convicted persons from holding any posts whereas our constitution does not even allow nominations for such persons,” he said.

Anwar is disqualified from active politics until April next year as a result of his corruption conviction.

Abdul Rahman, Anwar and his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is the incumbent, are vying for the PKR presidency. Rahman is a former treasurer and deputy president of the party.

Anwar, who received 120 nominations, is a shoo-in for the post barring any disqualification.


Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reports that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Azmin Ali today called on those alleging that PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim was meddling in the party polls to file an official complaint.



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