In such a scenario, “I think it will be better for there to be (an interim appointment) between Anwar and Izzah as having a father as prime minister, and daughter taking over, would create uneasiness for those in the party and across the country”, he added.
Political analyst James Chin, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, said with Nurul Izzah stepping forward to contest, Anwar is giving ammunition to other political parties and his political opponents.
“Anwar is so blatant, allowing the daughter to contest. Even if Nurul is competent, it is public perception that counts in politics, especially during elections. It is a bad look for Anwar,” said Chin.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad deflected nepotism charges by not permitting his children to take up senior posts in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) when he was in charge of the party, Chin noted.
“If I were Nurul, I would not take up this contest and if I were Anwar, I would put a stop to it,” Chin said. “Doing this will permanently hurt her brand.”
11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR FOUR VICE-PRESIDENT POSTS
Meanwhile, 11 people have thrown their hats into the ring for PKR’s four vice-president posts as of Friday evening.
These include incumbents Amirudin, Negeri Sembilan chief minister Aminudin Harun, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as well as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
They will be challenged by Ramanan, who is also Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, Segamat Member of Parliament R Yuneswaran, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, party deputy secretary-general Sathia Prakash Nadarajan, senator Abun Sui Anyit, former Selangor exco member Hee Loy Sian, and former PKR vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub.
Campaigning will take place from May 15 to 22, and delegates will cast their votes at the party’s national congress on May 23.
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