Anwar: Political appointments not abuse of power
JOHOR BARU: Political appointments that elevate qualified individuals should not be seen as an abuse of power but as rightful recognition of those who have contributed to a party's success, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said such appointments are a form of reward earned through sacrifice and dedication to the party's struggle to form the government.
"There are many unsung individuals who voluntarily gave up their jobs and spent their savings to support the party's fight to become the ruling government," he said during his winding-up speech at the PKR National Congress 2025 here today.
"I remember a former civil servant known as Pak Kudus from Tanjung Karang. He was among the first to support me after I was dismissed from office, surviving on a pension of just RM1,800 a month.
"There were also academics and medical specialists who lost their jobs for backing me, burning through hundreds of thousands of ringgit without ever asking for anything in return. They chose to live out the rest of their lives modestly.
"We must offer positions to qualified individuals as a gesture of appreciation for their decades of commitment and sacrifice," said Anwar.
The PKR president and Tambun MP also emphasised that PKR remains one of the few political parties with a truly multiracial composition, and that all segments of society would be given equal rights and opportunities.
"God willing, we will support those who have fought for the party. We are a serious multiracial party. While the core may be majority Malay and Bumiputera, the party represents all ethnic groups.
"Even Chinese and Indian members have been elevated to the post of vice-president by Malay PKR members," he said.
Anwar also praised the maturity of PKR delegates, noting that they could distinguish capable leaders deserving of elevation, regardless of any pre-arranged cai (slates) during party elections.
"Delegates didn't care about the cai. Some groups brought in slates, but the results for the Central Leadership Council (MPP) elections turned out differently.
"This is the difference between the two groups, and both have been embraced," he added.
Commenting on the outcome of the party elections yesterday, Anwar said he was confident in the new leadership's ability to carry out their responsibilities, uphold the party's mission, and take it to greater heights.
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