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Is the PKR party polls, which ended today all about one man who isn’t even contesting? That has been the million-ringgit question since the first ballots were cast for the top leadership in the nationwide party election on Oct 29.
Just like the attacks against him by former PKR Federal Territories chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has remained stoic over his refusal to contest the seat. According to one Barisan Nasional (BN) leader, he’s “hiding behind his wife’s party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail kain” as Anwar fears that the euphoria of Reformasi has dissipated where even a slim win will be interpreted as his waning popularity.
Without holding any significant post in the party, the former Deputy Prime Minister is party adviser and leader of the opposition by virtue of his name only. However one cannot deny that it was his sacking and incarceration that plotted the current renaissance in Malaysian politics. Hence many supporters feel that it is their moral obligation to ensure that Anwar continues to spearhead the march to Putrajaya.
However are the 364,098 PKR members who are eligible to vote on the same page? It is perhaps this uncertainty that forced Anwar to remain a safe distance where he can have his cake and eat it as well.
Now, many feel that his daughter Nurul Izzah’s lead in the vice-presidency with 11,042 (as of Nov 14) votes is a tacit endorsement of Anwar’s leadership.
However observers feel this may not be the case as “Puteri Reformasi” has managed to come out of her father’s shadow and hold her own as first time Lembah Pantai MP where the plight of urban poor Malays have been her main focus.
But she has also been the alleged division in the Anwar household with her apparent alliance to Zaid and her disenchantment with current vice president Azmin Ali whom her father supports.
In spite of her denials of supporting anyone, observers and party members are aware of her personal issues with some of her colleagues – even her own father at times.
If this is fact, then the voting trend so far indicates a division among supporters where Azmin is certain to win the race for No.2 with 14,751votes against Mustaffa Kamil Ayub’s 3,401.
The path was cleared for Azmin when Zaid threw in the towel and quit all party posts and also the party on Dec 16, citing "malpractices and electoral fraud" by several PKR leaders in the party's first direct election.
He is not the first. Several members have claimed that the process were marred with irregularities and biasness since day one and urged the elections to be halted.
But here-in lies the paradox. Some feel if Azmin wins, Wan Azizah, who won unopposed, will be a puppet president.
“I don’t know why Anwar is adamant in supporting Azmin.
“Wan Azizah has to be firm, in her role as president so Azmin does not use his position to make Wan Azizah a puppet president utilising his relationship with Anwar to manipulate and strengthen his position instead of the party’s position,” said Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.
He added that it would be interesting to see what Wan Azizah will say when she addresses the party’s 7th National Congress next weekend (Nov 26-28)
He added that Zaid might also become the third force to split the support for both PKR and BN. “Zaid’s followers might turn down PKR,” said Sivamurugan.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin however poured cold water over the idea of Zaid becoming the third force.
“Zaid is no match to Anwar politically, rhetorically and strategically. He just has money. His attempt to make the third force is a non-force or ‘false- force’. I don’t think he has friends politically,” said Shamsul.
He added that Anwar has built a political career based on his charisma and international connections.
“This is Anwar’s image in Pakatan. That is why people like Lim Kit Siang (DAP stalwart) and (PAS spiritual leader Datuk) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat are advisers and not the boss of Pakatan.
“He (Anwar) does not want to be anything less than a boss in the party,” said Shamsul.
However, with Zaid out of the picture and Mustaffa trailing, it seems that Azmin is the clear victor. This also means that Anwar’s position, albeit not contesting for any is also secured.
The real question is what is the next move for the party? Where does it go from here with a new leadership? Can Azmin strengthen the party and regain some of the confidence it lost, thanks to the dilemmas that often seem to stir up and pose questions on its leadership? The clock is ticking for PKR's leadership to close ranks after this hotly-contested party poll and aim for the war - the general elections.
With all the problems it has been facing, a stronger and united PKR is what the party should be striving for.
This means proving to the voters that it has put its house in order and introduces a leadership that can survive the tests of time, as well as endure beyond the realm of several personalities. | 
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