Amid continued speculation on whether Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali will challenge Anwar Ibrahim for the PKR presidency, one party youth leader has voiced support for a team-up of the two instead.

Incumbent PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin, who is seen as an Azmin protégé, told Malaysiakini that he wants the latter to defend his post as deputy president.

"For me, personally, my campaign will be to have the dynamic duo of Anwar and Azmin, the 'double As' of PKR," he said.

When asked about the possibility of someone other than Anwar becoming PKR president, Afif only noted that it would be up to PKR members, all of whom will be voting in the party polls scheduled for late August.

"This is the democratic process which must be upheld by the party."

Read more: No decision yet – Azmin remains coy on possible duel with Anwar

Speculation about Azmin challenging Anwar first arose after outgoing PKR women's chief Zuraida Kamaruddin issued a statement urging the party not to prevent any challengers for the presidency, while also espousing Azmin's credentials.

If Azmin decides to defend his deputy president post, there is a possibility that this could lead to a clash with his rival Rafizi Ramli, who is rumoured to be eyeing the position.

Neither Azmin nor Rafizi have confirmed which post they would be contesting.

As for Afif, he told Malaysiakini that he has yet to decide whether he will defend the PKR Youth chief post.

Nominations for the PKR elections open on Friday.