Saifuddin brings in ex-Azmin allies in show of inclusivity

Saifuddin brings in ex-Azmin allies in show of inclusivity


Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is vying for the PKR deputy president position, unveiled his team of candidates for the party polls last night, some of whom comprised leaders who were previously aligned with former deputy president Azmin Ali.

These leaders were sidelined even though they did not follow in Azmin's footsteps when he engineered the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government and defected to Bersatu.

In the line-up yesterday, a number of the leaders were part of Azmin's team during the 2018 PKR polls.

A key face was Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, a strong Azmin loyalist who was sidelined after the Sheraton Move.

Other leaders who were part of Azmin's team in 2018 included Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa and Hang Tuah Jaya Shamsul Iskandar, who switched camps against Azmin after that party polls.

"I emphasised political inclusivity that has existed in PKR for the longest time," Saifuddin had said.

He has positioned himself as a conciliatory leader versus his rival Rafizi Ramli who has taken a more combative approach.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari


Tian Chua also present

The launch of Saifuddin's team under the theme "We Are all Keadilan" followed a Hari Raya open house event in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

While PKR president Anwar Ibrahim wasn't present at the formal launch, he was at the open house function.

Anwar has not openly backed any candidate but Saifuddin is seen as an Anwar strongman while Rafizi has been critical of the party president.

Tian Chua, who was also part of Azmins' team in 2018, was present at the unveiling of Saifuddin's team.

Tian Chua is not contesting in the upcoming party polls.

Apart from former Azmin allies, Saifuddin's team also comprised various other personalities.

They include Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abd Hamid, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai, senator Fadhlina SIdek and Adam Adli Abd Halim.