Key posts for Zaid, Jui Meng in PKR reshuffle

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

June 04, 2010

Zaid was formerly law minister in the Abdullah administration. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — PKR is likely to appoint Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Chua Jui Meng to key posts within the national leadership, as the party seeks to widen its appeal ahead of the next general election.

The two former Barisan Nasional heavyweights currently hold no posts within PKR apart from their role in the party’s powerful political bureau. Zaid, who lost the Hulu Selangor by-election, now leads the Pakatan Rakyat secretariat working to formalise the coalition between PKR, DAP and PAS.

It is understood that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will either have to create new posts or sacrifice incumbents, in a bid to keep the two in the party that has been shaken by a series of defections.

“They have to be given posts. These are political heavyweights with vast influence and Anwar would want greater roles for them or it would be a waste,” one top official told The Malaysian Insider.

Chua joined PKR two years ago. — file pic

The likely appointments also come six months before the party’s first direct elections for all top posts. Any changes in the line-up will be seen as Anwar’s way of indicating his future team.

Sources said the move to give Chua, a former MCA vice-president, a post would likely cause discontent among the faction led by party strategic director Chua Tian Chang.

The first-term Batu MP is now the most prominent Chinese leader within PKR.

His early involvement with PKR — since the “Reformasi” days in 1998 when Anwar’s sacking as deputy prime minister triggered the popular movement — has forced the party’s de facto leader to “accommodate” his loyalty by naming him as the strategic director, replacing Saifuddin Nasution who was promoted to secretary-general.

Chua only joined the party two years ago after he lost in the MCA elections and a bigger, more influential post for him means a jump over the strategic director.

Sources said there would be unhappiness but all factions were likely to accept any decision made by Anwar.

The “reshuffle” would also see several leaders dropped from key strategic posts in PKR’s bid to make inroads among the Malay voters, who form the country’s dominant majority.

Tian Chua is currently the most prominent Chinese leader in PKR. — file pic

Anwar, in an interview with The Malaysian Insider recently, conceded that the battle for Putrajaya will be for the hearts of the rural Malay voters as PKR’s moderate image can only work its magic on the more exposed urban Malay electorate.

“What we will see is the placement of more senior Malay leaders in strategic posts so the party can bridge that gap with the Malay voters,” said another party official.

The PKR secretary-general declined comment when asked about the reshuffle of officials in the national leadership.

“I reserve my comment for the time being. I had just spoken to Datuk Seri (Anwar) just now but I cannot share the details,” Saifuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

The Machang MP himself took the senior post in an earlier reshuffle, after former secretary-general Datuk Sallehuddin Hashim quit the post and party last January.

Since then, several lawmakers have exited the party to either be independents or join Umno.

The party’s sixth congress in Kota Baru last week had resolved to prevent further walkouts, focus on defending its seats and woo more voters in its efforts to capture Putrajaya.