Anwar: No 'cai' guide, I review each candidate to decide my vote

Summary

• Anwar Ibrahim quips that there’s no ‘cai’ guide or candidate’s list, hence the longer time he has taken to cast his vote for PKR central leaders.

• PKR president says reviewing the candidates one by one is how it should be done.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has quipped that he took a longer time to vote for the party’s central leaders as he was not guided by any “cai” or candidate’s list.

Speaking to reporters after voting at Berjaya Waterfront, Johor Bahru, Anwar said, “I reviewed each candidate one by one.”

“That’s how it should be done, look for the best and vote for them. If there were some ‘cai’ here or there, I didn’t follow them.

“And I hope in the outcome of both (sides), the best candidates are considered,” said Anwar, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to cast his vote.

Anwar is retaining his PKR presidency uncontested for the third and final term.

In the run-up to polling, PKR’s election committee banned the practice of campaigning as a group of contenders led by a deputy president candidate, presented as a “cai” or voting guide for members.

However, incumbent PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who is up against Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah for the number two post, released on Wednesday his official voting guide for all central positions across the main body, youth and women’s wings.

Malaysia Gazette this morning quoted PKR complaints bureau chief Ahmad Kassim as saying Rafizi was issued with a warning letter for an alleged breach of campaign rules.

Will Rafizi be at congress opening ceremony?

Anwar, who will be delivering a policy speech, said he expected Rafizi to attend the congress’ official opening ceremony tonight.

“I assume so, he’s the deputy president, he usually comes. He attends cabinet meetings too. It’s the media people who are more worked up.

“From the cabinet meetings, he carries out his work well, like usual - presents papers, comments on papers,” the premier added.

Earlier today, Rafizi denounced Nurul Izzah’s allegations that he was preparing to vacate his government office, prior to nominations for the PKR central polls.

Nurul Izzah claimed in a Facebook post last night that the economy minister was ready to resign from the government out of frustration with PKR’s divisional election results, which saw his allies soundly defeated.

'Rafizi did not vacate his office', ex-ministry staff refutes Nurul Izzah

BN reps absent at PKR Youth, Women's congress openings

PKR National Congress begins, leadership election underway