Ahead of the PKR national congress, which will begin tomorrow, Zaid Ibrahim has urged delegates to defend their president Anwar Ibrahim.

The former PKR member said his call is motivated by the alleged efforts aimed at preventing Anwar from becoming the next prime minister.

“I am writing this letter because I see at close quarters the continuous onslaught on your party and your leader Anwar Ibrahim, all calculated with a clear intent to deny him the chance to be prime minister.

“This treachery from friends and allies knows no bounds. It is shameful. It is a clear manifestation of the lack of morals amongst those whom we have selected as leaders and regarded as friends.

“Those who care about the quality of the country's leadership cannot stay silent any longer,” Zaid added.

PKR, which was founded in 1999, is being rocked by infighting between those aligned to Anwar and his estranged deputy Azmin Ali.

Below is Zaid's letter in full:

Dear PKR delegates,

I was once a member of your party and I cherished the moment when we were all together, fighting for truth and justice. It was not so long ago. I made a decision to leave the party because I could not stand treachery and betrayal.

I am writing this letter because I see at close quarters the continuous onslaught on your party and your leader Anwar Ibrahim, all calculated with a clear intent to deny him the chance to be prime minister.

This treachery from friends and allies knows no bounds. It is shameful. It is a clear manifestation of the lack of morals amongst those whom we have selected as leaders and regarded as friends.

Those who care about the quality of the country's leadership cannot stay silent any longer. Anwar's friends in Pakatan Harapan prefer to remain silent to the awkward question of when he should take over. They will not stand for him when shove comes to shaft.

It is therefore important that at this congress you stand tall in defence of the honour of your leader. No one else would.

It is not wrong to want Anwar to take over the country's leadership now. It is not impatient or being misguided to want Anwar to give us a fresh breath of air. It is nothing to be embarrassed to want a leader who cares about the poor and seeks to address the issue of inequality.

You must not allow them to continue making a joke of the prime minister in waiting.

The issue of transition of power is not a private matter between the boss and successor. This is not the Cosa Nostra but a political decision of a body politics affecting members of the public.

You must address this issue openly and with courage. You must be committed to your leader. The coming general election cannot be won with half-baked reforms. The only chance we have is a dedicated leader who will do everything possible to chart a new course for the country.

If the delegates are not willing to defend Anwar now, PKR will not have the strength to pursue reformist politics ever. Think about this

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been the prime minister for more than 23 years. So for Anwar to have a few years is only fair, whichever way you look at it.

After all, the 2018 election victory was the joint effort of many.