PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has asserted that Nurul Izzah Anwar must win the upcoming party election for the post of deputy president, warning that her defeat would send damaging signals about the party’s support for its leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Although officially I am defending the position, Nurul Izzah's defeat could spark a narrative or polemic that party members reject the leadership of PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.,” he said during a campaign stop in Kulim, Kedah as part of his ‘Jelajah Hidupkan Idealisme Reformasi Dalam Ujian Rakyat (HIRUK)’ series.
“If Izzah loses, what message does that send to the people? It would mean even party members are rejecting Anwar. That’s why she must win. If she loses, we will go into the next general election unable to face the opposition or internal political strife,” he continued.
Although Rafizi is the incumbent defending the post, he emphasised that a Nurul Izzah victory is the only viable outcome for the sake of the party’s credibility and electoral future.
“Vote for Nurul Izzah, because there can be no other outcome. Whatever your personal preference, the decision must favour Izzah. Otherwise, it means Anwar is being rejected,” he said, urging members to put aside sentiment in favour of political continuity.
Rafizi acknowledged that championing Nurul Izzah’s candidacy could cost him politically, but said safeguarding PKR’s role in government and preserving its reform agenda was his overriding concern.
“I don’t mind. I’m not worried about losing power or position. But I don’t want us to enter this leadership election only to be wiped out at the next general election. Those at the top can afford to lose – they can stop being ministers or MPs. But I feel for all of you, the members and campaign workers. You’re the ones who have to face the public night after night,” he said.
He also appealed for full support for Nurul Izzah if elected, stressing the heavy burden the role carries under current political conditions.
“As the incumbent Deputy President, when Izzah contests, for the sake of the stability of the party, we cannot have any other decision than her victory. Support and help her, because the burden she bears is very heavy in the current situation.,” he said.
Rafizi, however, did not dismiss concerns that a coordinated push to elevate the daughter of the party president would provoke accusations of nepotism. He cited historical parallels, drawing on the Cuban revolution to caution against familial concentration of power.
“Fidel Castro appointed his brother Raul as Defence Minister, while Che Guevara became Minister of Industry. But this eventually led to rivalries and questions of influence – if someone couldn’t reach Fidel, they’d turn to Raul. And if Che disagreed with Fidel, they would whisper to Raul. The revolution never fully delivered on its promise to free Cubans from poverty,” Rafizi remarked.
He added that perceptions of nepotism could easily erode trust in PKR’s leadership ahead of Malaysia’s 16th General Election.
“Every move by party members, including those who are ‘more royal than the king’, will be scrutinised by the public and may affect our electoral chances,” he added. - May 13, 2025
