Anwar strengthens grip in PKR reshuffle

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made sweeping changes to PKR today, as he appeared to take firm control of his troubled party, and indicated Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail, his wife and party president, would play a more prominent leadership role.

Azmin Ali, a protégé of Anwar, and Tian Chua, the often-controversial information director, also appear to have been sidelined in the changes announced by the de facto party leader.

Azmin will no longer be elections campaign director. He will be replaced by Saiffudin Nasution. Azmin will now head a task force to strengthen party leadership at the state and division levels.

Tian Chua has been re-designated to strategic director while his place has been taken over by Latheefa Koya.

“Wan Azizah will give statements on emerging issues and her presence should be further highlighted,” Anwar wrote on his blog today.

Wan Azizah is seen as someone that Anwar can trust and as a leader, she is someone who is relatively immune from negative attacks from the Barisan Nasional.

The de factor PKR leader also said that deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali will focus on policy and Malay and Bumiputra issues.

Vice presidents Dr Lee Boon Chye, Sivarasa, Mustafa Kamil Ayob and Dr Jeffrey Kitingan together with Youth Chief Shamsul Iskandar and Women’s chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin will be part of Azmin’s task force.

Other changes announced by Anwar today:

Training committee chairman: Fauziah Saleh.

New membership committee chairman: Johari Abdul.

International relations committee chairman: Mustafa Kamil Ayob.

Deputy chairman: Dr Tan Kee Kwong.

Communication chief: Johnson Chong.

Discipline committee chairman: Datuk Yeop Adlan Che Rose.

Deputy secretary generals: Abdul Halim Yusof, Paul Kadang, Raveentharan and Sharifah Shahidah