Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah wins battle for No. 2 post in PKR

She beats incumbent Rafizi Ramli; 2 of 4 V-P posts also go to PM Anwar's allies

- Lu Wei Hoong

JOHOR BAHRU - The eldest daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has won the No. 2 post in Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) closely watched internal elections, defeating incumbent Rafizi Ramli in the race for the deputy presidency.

Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar secured 9,803 votes against Datuk Seri Rafizi, who is Economy Minister, in the election held in Johor Bahru on May 23. No details of the turnout nor votes polled by Mr Rafizi were announced.

The delegates shouted Ms Nurul Izzah's name before the announcement of her win as deputy president by returning officer Zaliha Mustafa. Datuk Seri Anwar is the party president.

The PKR anchors Malaysia's multi-coalition government that has been in power for 2 1/2 years, with eight Cabinet ministers including Mr Anwar, who is also Finance Minister.

The decision by Ms Nurul Izzah, 44, to contest had earlier elicited accusations of nepotism, which she has rejected. PKR has had only two presidents since its formation: her mother, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, and her father, Mr Anwar.

Also up for the ballot were the four vice-president spots. The vice-presidents represent leaders a tier below the deputy president, and can expect to get federal Cabinet posts or become executive councillors in state governments. Besides the four elected vice-presidents, three others are appointed by PKR's central leadership council.