Members of Malaysia’s ruling party cast their votes on Friday in an internal poll which could see Nurul Izzah – the daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim – become deputy leader and put on track for highest political office.
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The run-up vote to become No 2 of the People’s Justice Party (PKR) has been clouded by claims of nepotism in forwarding Nurul Izzah, 44, for a deputy role widely seen as a launch pad for party leadership and then a potential tilt at the prime minister’s office.
Critics say the move could cost Anwar support over the optics of building a political dynasty at the expense of real reforms.
About 20,000 delegates will vote across Friday at this year’s congress in southern Johor state, to pick between Nurul Izzah and incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
The result is due on Friday evening.
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“If I suddenly win, my heart may go weak. Because I know the way things have been arranged, the signs are clear that I will lose,” Rafizi said in his last campaign stop in Johor on Tuesday.
Nurul Izzah, a major driving force in her father’s “Reformasi” (reform movement) has dismissed claims of the PKR being a “family party”.