World · Malaysia Bureau
Azmin Ali rules out PKR return after 2020 expulsion
Former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has closed the door on rejoining the party following his dismissal in February 2020 over his involvement in the Sheraton Move political realignment.
LSN Malaysia ·

Azmin Ali has made clear that a return to PKR is not on the cards, marking a definitive end to speculation about reconciliation with the party he once served in a senior capacity. The politician was expelled from the party in February 2020 after his participation in the Sheraton Move, a political manoeuvre that led to significant shifts in Malaysia's political landscape at the time.
The Sheraton Move, named after the Sheraton hotel where key political negotiations took place, involved the defection of PKR MPs and proved pivotal in reshaping the country's political coalition. Azmin's involvement in the episode made his position within PKR untenable, resulting in his removal from the party.
Since his expulsion, Azmin has continued his political career outside of PKR, maintaining his presence in Malaysian politics through other platforms. His latest statement appears to draw a line under any possibility of reconciliation, suggesting that both he and the party have moved forward separately.
The closure of this chapter reflects the enduring divisions within Malaysia's political landscape that emerged from the turbulent events of early 2020, when the country's political alliances underwent significant realignment. Azmin's position underscores how the repercussions of that period continue to shape individual political trajectories and party dynamics.