PERMATANG PAUH: There were some awkward moments at the official launch of the PKR Permatang Pauh election machinery this afternoon.
All eyes were on PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when she made a quick exit as soon as her deputy, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, took to the stage.
Dr Wan Azizah had arrived at the event about 2.30pm with her daughter, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Azmin, however, arrived only about 3.10pm, after some five people had spoken, including Nurul Izzah.
As soon as Azmin took to the stage to address the crowd, Dr Wan Azizah was seen whispering something to Nurul Izzah before leaving in a huff.
Newsmen, who spotted the “awkwardness”, went after Dr Wan Azizah, who had by then walked to her car.
When approached, she would only say: “I am on my way back to sign the appointment letters (for candidates in the coming general election).”
This comes following reports that an alleged crisis was brewing in the party over the 14th general election candidate list.
It is said that at least eight names proposed by Azmin had been axed by Dr Wan Azizah.
Confronted on the alleged crisis, she said: “We have a vetting process. We will conduct the final vetting with input from the PKR de facto leader (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim),” she added.