PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s position should not be regarded as undemocratic, a delegate told the PKR national congress today.

pkr congress 271110 fariz musa While debating the presidential address, Terengganu delegate Fariz Musa ( left ) said that Anwar was not only qualified, but democratically appointed to the position by party members during the party congress in 2007.

“In the 2007 congress, we had unanimously passed a resolution to appoint Anwar as the de facto leader. He did not promote himself. It was we who gave him that honour,” he said, to rapturous applause from the floor.

In the past few weeks, Anwar’s position as de facto leader have come under scrutiny after it was questioned by former Federal Territories PKR chief Zaid Ibrahim.

pkr congress pc 271110 wan azizah anwar Zaid claims that Anwar’s position was undemocratic and had left party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as a mere puppet.

Yesterday, PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Ibrahim mooted that the de facto leader post be made an official position and incorporated into the party constitution.

This morning, Wan Azizah had shot down the idea.

A weapon, diamond and gift from God

Meanwhile, Fariz said that while party members regard him as the de facto leader, it does not mean that he is not open to criticism, but urged members to do it through the proper channels.

“We should defend him not because he is maksum (without faults) but because he is our main weapon,” he said, who later led the delegation in giving Anwar a standing ovation.

pkr congress 271110 siti aishah shaik ismail His views were echoed by Srikandi (Wanita wing youth unit) delegate Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail ( left ), who likened the de facto leader to a “diamond”.

“We have a diamond in our hands, protect it, don’t let it turn into glass… When PKR and Pakatan Rakyat is strong, Anwar will be safe,” she said.

She added that it would be “naïve” to expect Anwar to contest in the party polls because he is recognized as a leader not just locally but all over the world.

“If PAS has a mursyidul am (spiritual leader) then we too can have a de facto leader,” she said.

In her policy speech this morning, Wan Azizah set the tone to recognise Anwar’s position by stating that he was a “gift from god” to lead the country.

The 7th PKR congress will end tomorrow with the official announcement of the new leadership which will spearhead the party in both the upcoming Sarawak and national polls.