Azmin Ali To Be Opposition Leader In Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali is being touted as the next leader of the PKR-DAP-PAS opposition pact in parliament.

He is expected to take over the role from Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when parliament sits on Aug 18 following the PKR president's resignation as Member of Parliament (MP) for Permatang Pauh on Thursday.

Mohamed Azmin is seen as the most suitable candidate to be opposition whip as a result of Dr Wan Azizah's resignation to make way for her husband, PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the seat in a by-election.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub told Bernama that it was up to PKR to decide who should lead the opposition in parliament before the by-election.

However, he felt that Mohamed Azmin would be most suitable for the post as he was a senior leader of the PKR.

"Usually, the three parties (in Pakatan Rakyat) will discuss any move. But as an MP, I respect convention....here meaning leaving it to PKR to decide," said Salahuddin, who is the MP for Kubang Kerian.

PKR information chief Tian Chua said the matter should not be blown up.

The MP for Batu, however, did not want to speculate on who qualified to be the opposition whip when the Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes soon.

"We propose that Datuk Seri Anwar fill the vacant post, but for now we have no proposal yet," he said.

Jelutong MP from the DAP, Ooi Chuan Aun said there was no tussle for the post of opposition leader in parliament as there was understanding and consensus among the three component parties in the opposition.

"As usual, the transfer of power should be to the most senior member, that is Mohamed Azmin before the post is handed over to Datuk Seri Anwar after he wins the Permatang Pauh by-election. For the moment, Azmin is seen as the most suitable candidate," he said.

No Decision Yet On BN Candidate For Permatang Pauh By-election
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) has not yet discussed its candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election, said BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"The choice of candidate must be made according to the procedures, where it must first be discussed by the state and divisional leaders before the top leadership makes a decision," he said.

"We can discuss the matter any time from now, don't have to tell when," the deputy prime minister told a news conference after launching an AmanahRaya scholarship programme for students pursuing Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University, here Friday.

Najib was commenting on the suggestion by certain quarters that BN fielded former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh by-election, following the resignation of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail as its Member of Parliament on Thursday.

Ezam, who has rejoined Umno, was reported to be prepared for an all-out battle against the PKR advisor regardless whether he would be chosen by the BN to stand in the by-election or not.

Najib regarded Wan Azizah's decision to give up the seat for Anwar to contest it in a by-election, as trying to bring Anwar's personal problems to the people, particularly the voters in Permatang Pauh.

"The allegation (of sodomy) was brought against Anwar by his own personal aide and not by the government. There are ways to resolve the matter without dragging it to the people, but he chose to. He has made the decision (to contest), so we will face him," he said.

Najib said the Election Commission would decide when the by-election could be held, and the BN would make the necessary preparations for its candidate in the by-election.

He also said that the government did not feel threatened by the by-election.

Asked if a victory for BN in Permatang Pauh would end Anwar's political ambition, Najib said it was not easy to predict the outcome of any election.

"Anything can happen in the by-election...obviously he has made his calculation by standing in his previous constituency, currently represented by his wife, the constituency that could afford him a chance to win," he said.

In admitting the battle might be tough, Najib however said that BN would do its best to wrest the seat.

-- BERNAMA