Anwar won leadership tussle but Azmin's next move crucial
Anwar Ibrahim conducted a master class at the PKR retreat, getting Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to finally show up on his side.
The loser at the weekend is Azmin Ali because of his glaring absence.
<<This was the ultimate chance for the deputy President to come and tell the crowd he is not the man in the video and he supports his leader.>>
Or he could have used the platform to lambast his leader if he felt this was the appropriate time to do so.
With Dr Mahathir show of support for Anwar’s leadership at the party’s retreat, it is a double defeat for Azmin, the Economic Affairs minister.
Azmin Ali’s absence speaks volume of the party’s future and of his future in the party.
Rumours are still out there that 20 or more MP’s and YB’s and party officials may jump ship from the PKR after the video episode.
Some say the number is 28, based on those who signed the document lambasting Anwar for his stance on the video issue.
It is clear Anwar’s statement that if the police find it conclusively that it is Azmin in the video, the latter should resign had spooked the 28 Azmin men and women.
But it is the way the media — including Malaysiakini — presented Anwar statement that triggered Azmin’s harsh response to “tell him to <<muhasabah>> and look into the mirror.”
It showed Azmin on the defensive and ready to hit back at anyone who wants him to vacate the prized ministerial seat.
Azmin is still on the warpath even though Anwar offered an opportunity to patch up and move forward.
The party will surely ask questions on the absence of many pro-Azmin MP’s and YB’s at the retreat.