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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed there will be no Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the 2025 Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) division elections, despite the defeat of several high-profile party figures.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, said the matter of a reshuffle does not arise as the internal party elections are unrelated to the administration of either the federal or state governments.
“No. This is a party election. It is being conducted properly.
“This is strictly a party matter. There is no question of it involving the state or federal government. Everything is proceeding as usual, okay?
“The way I see it, each individual (was evaluated) based on their performance, not political manoeuvring,” he told reporters during a Hari Raya celebration hosted by the Higher Education Ministry on Monday.
He added that any concerns can be brought up during a scheduled special meeting on Wednesday.
This follows a shake-up in the party's grassroots ranks, where several incumbents and leaders currently holding government positions were unseated.
Among them is PKR vice-president and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who lost his Setiawangsa division chief post to actor-director Datuk Afdlin Shauki.
Also defeated were Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy in Bukit Bintang, and Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who was unseated by Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi.
Joining Anwar at the ministry event were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, his deputy Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim.
The recent PKR elections have also signalled a "wind of change", as several fresh faces managed to secure victories across various divisions.
Anwar said that, in his view, the elections ran smoothly, despite some concerns raised over the transparency of the results and the overall election process.
He added that party leaders and candidates were given the opportunity to raise any objections or disputes regarding the conduct of the elections.
"The party election was conducted properly… there are a few issues and concerns that can be raised during the special meeting on Wednesday," he said.
Yesterday, the media reported that PKR Secretary-General Dr Fuziah Salleh confirmed a Central Leadership Council (MPP) meeting would be held this Wednesday following protests and allegations questioning the transparency of the 2025 PKR elections.
However, Fuziah clarified that the meeting was not an emergency session, as the required seven-day notice had already been issued to all MPP members.
She explained that the meeting was being held in response to a request from several council members, in line with provisions under the party’s constitution.
Previously, several candidates were reported to have submitted official appeals to the PKR Election Committee (JPP) after concerns were raised over the fairness and transparency of the results and process.
Among the candidates was Nik Nazmi.
PKR’s Communications Director and government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said any decision regarding a Cabinet reshuffle in the Unity Government will only be known after PKR’s central leadership elections, scheduled to take place on May 24.
Fahmi, who is also Minsster of Communications stressed that the matter is entirely within the Prime Minister’s discretion and cannot be decided by any other party.
“That is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. Perhaps after the central-level elections, we will have a clearer picture of the direction and whether any changes are necessary,” he said.
Fahmi made the remarks in response to speculation
“We cannot assume that a candidate is automatically qualified just because they hold a position at the division level. There are also situations where individuals who are not contesting at the division level still gain support at the central level,” he said.
Nominations for PKR’s central elections will take place on May 3 and 4, while physical voting will be held on May 2 in conjunction with the party’s National Congress. - April 21, 2025