SINGAPORE – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim looks set to retain his position as president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), after his bid for the post went unchallenged.

Nominations for party leadership posts closed on Friday (May 9) at 11.59 pm with Anwar’s name the only one vying for PKR presidency, national news agency Bernama reported.

Meanwhile, the fight for the number two post is poised to be a two-horse race between Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah and incumbent Rafizi Ramli, Malaysia’s economy minister.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who lost the PKR deputy presidency contest to Rafizi in the last poll in 2022 and was said to be mulling another bid this time, will not be contesting for any position after all.

Saifuddin’s aide Omar Mokhtar Manap told local media on Friday night that Saifuddin came to the decision after discussing with several top party leaders.

“His message is for all of us to remain steadfast on the path of struggle, to work hard in strengthening the party and to prioritise two key goals: Winning the 16th general election and ensuring Anwar Ibrahim serves a second term as prime minister,” Omar was quoted as saying by news outlet Free Malaysia Today.

PKR has not officially announced the contenders for the various leadership posts in the May 23 poll following the close of nominations.

Bernama reported that the final list of candidates will be announced on May 15, with May 11-12 set aside for any objection to the nominations and May 13-14 for objection appeals.

The withdrawal deadline is May 14, while campaigning will be from May 15 to 22.

The May 23 poll is the first PKR leadership contest since Anwar became prime minister in November 2022.

Those elected later this month will serve a three-year term until 2028 and are set to lead the party into the next general election, which must be held by February 2028.

This will be the final PKR presidency term for Anwar, 77, because the party’s constitution caps the tenure of its president at two consecutive terms.

The deputy president post is thus seen as the pathway for his eventual successor in PKR. 

Analysts have told CNA that Nurul Izzah, who is currently one of PKR’s four vice-presi...