Senior Federal Territory PKR leaders have denied that de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had allegedly issued directives last night at his home on whom he wanted to be the deputy president of the party.

They claimed that it was a normal meeting held by Anwar at his house where he briefed them over the Anwar Ibrahim supporters club and the need to uphold the party’s struggles.

A senior party leader who declined to be identified said Anwar did not touch at all on party elections in yesterday’s meeting.

NONE “He only gave a short tazkirah (religious talk) after buka puasa and this was followed by a meeting of the Anwar Ibrahim supporters club.

“Anwar ( right ) spoke about his experiences during his student days. He also advised the younger generation of members to uphold the party struggle. That was it until terawih prayers,” the party leader said.

The leader said there was no mention of campaigning or whom he wanted to contest.

“There was no such discussion or briefing,” he said.

Yesterday, a news portal (not Malaysiakini ) reported, quoting sources, that the meeting which was arranged at the last minute was to announce Anwar’s alleged support for vice-president Azmin Ali to contest for the deputy post in the party elections.

This was for Azmin to gain a lead over another potential candidate - former minister in the prime minister’s department Zaid Ibrahim, who has recently been appointed as Federal Territory PKR chief.

Azmin, Zaid and Khalid not present

The senior party leader also said that Azmin, Zaid and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, were not present at yesterday’s meeting.

Federal Territory PKR vice-chief Azman Abidin confirmed their absence with Malaysiakini .

“It is not true that Anwar had briefed the attendees on whom are his preferred candidates. There was no talk on politics. It was just chatting and religion and the Anwar Ibrahim club,” he said.

“Such talk of him directing us to choose one candidate over the other is totally rubbish.”

Today it was reported that Zaid and Azmin are the front-runners in the contest for the deputy president’s post.

Incumbent Syed Husin Ali had mentioned in the past of his intention to step down. However, Syed Husin has yet to make any official announcement.

Zaid had replaced Azmin as the Federal Territory PKR chief earlier this year, while Azmin had replaced Khalid as the Selangor PKR chief.