KUALA LUMPUR – Rafizi Ramli should challenge PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the party’s top post after the former apparently criticised his boss for working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
“I even issued a statement before his (Rafizi’s) statement came out – saying no PN. Where is the issue? I think this one is basically directed at Anwar because he mentions not just Pakatan Harapan (PH) but PKR (as well).
“So from there, it is clear that if there are any negotiations, they will talk to Anwar,” Lim was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
“His (Rafizi’s) target is Anwar. I think that since this is for his purposes in campaigning for deputy president, I don’t want to get involved.
“Perhaps, instead of contesting for deputy president, he should contest for the president’s post.”
The DAP leader also said there were no discussions between PH and PN leaders about working together to face the general election, referring to himself and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.
“As far as during or before the Johor election at the top level, Mat Sabu and I never met Muhyiddin. I don’t think Anwar met Muhyiddin,” said Lim, referring to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Rafizi’s return to active politics also riled up former Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador, who said the move implied that the former Pandan MP would take on Anwar.
In a statement issued late last night, Farhash said Rafizi, in announcing his return and intention to contest for the PKR deputy president post, had also ridiculed Anwar as weak, having described the political break he had taken as being due to his disagreement with the party’s leadership.
“Rafizi had rudely stated that he opted not to contest for the president’s post to create havoc and disrupt the party’s messages to the public.
“As such, many within the fold are feeling that Rafizi will not be able to handle any collective decisions made by the leadership and that only becoming the party president would satisfy him.”
Farhash also advised Rafizi to be honest with himself and quit playing cheap politics.
On Tuesday, Rafizi announced that he will rejoin active politics and vie to be deputy president in the coming party polls.
He alleged that the PH presidential council has agreed to discuss the possibility of working together with the Bersatu-led PN to face the next general election.
Farhash’s response comes as PKR is set to conduct its polls in May, with nominations set to take place in April.
It is learnt that Farhash is also vying for the party deputy president’s post. – The Vibes, March 17, 2022