PETALING JAYA: The PKR elections in April are set to reignite the rivalry between Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and the party’s Perak chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak in a proxy battle for the Gombak division head’s position.

       Farhash is PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former political secretary while Amirudin is regarded as an ally of the party’s former deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who has since defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

       It is well known that Amirudin had been handpicked by Azmin for the Selangor MB’s job.

       Farhash said yesterday that he had been invited by several grassroots leaders to challenge Amiruddin for the top post in Gombak.

       “We know that when it comes to politics, it’s not just my decision,” he said when contacted.

       “I was invited by old members and grassroots who want me to be there because they believe the Gombak division needs ‘rejuvenation’,” he added

       Farhash said it was usual for party harmony to be disrupted during party elections, adding that challenges for party positions were part of the democratic process.

       “No seat belongs to anyone and every position can be contested.

       “I will make the decision in March,” he added.

       He also said Gombak PKR was facing threats from “big names” who were aiming to wrest the Gombak parliamentary seat currently being held by Azmin.

       “It is up to the party whether it wants to field me there or in Perak,” added Farhash.

       He said that he resigned as Anwar’s political secretary in December to focus on preparations for the next general election.

       In 2019, Amirudin and Farhash were involved in a public spat over a series of sex videos implicating Azmin and a former PKR youth chief.

       Azmin, who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, denied any involvement in the sex video, dismissing the scandal as a “nefarious plot” to destroy his political career.

       In February 2020, Azmin led a group of 10 PKR MPs out of the party, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

       Several others, like former vice-president Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Sarawak’s Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong, also left later.

       After Azmin’s defection, Amirudin had assured Anwar that his loyalty was with the party, not Azmin.

       “I will remain with PKR, in line with my election promises.

       “I am a party man,” Amiruddin was quoted as saying then.

       The PKR party election for the 2022-2025 term will take place from April 22-29, while the national congress will be held from June 10-12.

       PKR party divisions have also been ordered to hold their respective annual general meeting from March 4-27.

       In 2018, Amirudin won the Gombak division chief post with a majority of 930 votes after he secured 1,127 votes against Datuk Mohamed Nizam Md Saad, who merely garnered 197 votes.

       The party elections then also saw a close fight between Azmin and Rafizi Ramli for the deputy presidency.

       Azmin won with 71,635 votes to Rafizi’s 68,730 votes.