DATUK Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has refuted fellow Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s claim that a potential defeat for Nurul Izzah Anwar in the party’s deputy presidency contest would reflect poorly on the leadership of her father, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at a press conference at Dewan Setia Perkasa, Saifuddin, who is also the party’s Management Committee Adviser, emphasised that the contest is simply a race between the incumbent Rafizi and his challenger, Nurul Izzah.
“If Nurul Izzah loses, and it is then extended to suggest rejection of Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, I don’t see it that way. The very existence of Parti Keadilan stems from the incident that befell Anwar Ibrahim—on 2 September 1998.
“During that time, he spent eleven years in prison, including in solitary confinement. If we talk about being slandered, insulted, and humiliated, no human has endured more than he has,” he said.
Saifuddin added that Nurul Izzah’s candidacy should not be seen as a referendum on her father’s leadership, nor should her defeat be construed as a rejection of the PKR president.
“This is a contest between two candidates, closely watched by party members before they cast their votes,” he said.
His remarks follow recent comments by Rafizi, who voiced concern that Nurul Izzah’s defeat in the deputy presidency race could be seen as a sign of diminishing support for Anwar, thereby fuelling internal and external challenges for the party.
Rafizi said there was no alternative but to secure a win against Nurul Izzah in order to assume the deputy presidency and avoid groundless accusations against Anwar and his family. - May 13, 2025
