PKR polls: Anwar breaks into song, rules out cabinet reshuffle

Summary

• PKR president Anwar Ibrahim responds with a P Ramlee song when quizzed on the drama in his party’s election.

• Many big names in deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s camp have failed to make the cut.

When faced with questions about the recent PKR party polls, Anwar Ibrahim chose to serenade journalists with a classic tune, “Tunggu Sekejap”, by the legendary P Ramlee instead.

Quizzed on several big names failing to make the cut, the PKR president quoted a line from the song: “Tunggu sekejap, jangan dikenang orang jauh, tunggu sekejap…” (Wait a moment, don’t reminisce about someone far away, wait a moment…).

According to Berita Harian, the lighthearted moment came after Anwar attended a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration hosted by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry in Putrajaya.

Separately, Bernama later reported the prime minister ruling out a cabinet reshuffle based on the election.

He said the election is an internal party matter and has no connection with the administration of the government.

“This (issue) concerns party leadership; it is proceeding well. If there are problems or confusion, they can be raised during the party elections.

“The party elections are going smoothly, and a special meeting will be held this Wednesday, but this is strictly a party matter. It has nothing to do with state or federal government matters – everything is functioning as usual and in good order,” he added.

Anwar said that decisions regarding positions in the cabinet are made based on the performance of each member of the administration, not political manoeuvring (percaturan politik).

“I evaluate based on each individual’s performance, not on political strategy,” he added.

Among the prominent losers were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim.

Some candidates have filed complaints, questioning the integrity of the voting system and alleging the presence of an “invisible hand” meddling in the results. 

There have even been allegations of money politics thrown into the mix.

PKR election committee chairperson Dr Zaliha Mustafa, however, dismissed the accusations, firmly denying any covert interference in the branch-level election process.

Paying price for ‘arrogance’

On a more serious note, PKR veteran Hassan Abdul Karim claimed that some of them deserved the axe for their arrogance.

He claimed the results show the party grassroots’ rejection of political elitists and “cartel politics” in PKR, particularly those who were part of the “Ayuh Malaysia” movement led by the party’s deputy president, Rafizi Ramli.

Apart from vice-president Nik Nazmi, who lost the Setiawangsa division chief position, other Rafizi allies who were ousted included Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasrullah Nasir (Johor Bahru), Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail (Shah Alam), Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat (Selayang) and Sabah state minister Christina Liew (Kota Kinabalu).

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