Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim risks losing the next general election if his focus drifts from the anti-corruption crusade that got him elected, a senior cabinet member has warned, as a rift widens inside the ruling party caused by allegations of nepotism linked to moves to promote Anwar’s eldest daughter.
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Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had squandered its clean image and warned that the prime minister risked facing a single term as he shed support across the country.
“I have discussed and tabled it to the PM and told him time and time again: do not take lightly the people’s perception on corruption because that is our core asset,” said Rafizi, who also holds the key post of PKR deputy president.
The next election is due in two years’ time.
“The truth is we are still far away from a confirmed second term for Anwar Ibrahim,” Rafizi added.
His comments follow a barely concealed split spurred by PKR’s push to appoint Nurul Izzah Anwar – the prime minister’s eldest daughter – as deputy president, sidelining Rafizi.