KUALA LUMPUR – Despite Rafizi Ramli’s return to active politics, PKR chief organising secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has refuted talks of a brewing internal crisis ahead of next month’s party polls.
He said Rafizi and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would make “a good combination” and party leadership needs a “shake-up”.
“With Anwar being the more experienced politician with time in government, he has contributed immensely, not only to opposition politics but to multiracial politics in the country.
“Anwar is 75 (years old) and Rafizi is 45. So, Anwar is more of a diplomat (in PKR), and Rafizi is the frank, outspoken guy.
At the end of the day, what’s the bottom line? Is it to make everyone happy, or is it to win elections and make changes for Malaysians? If it is the latter, then we need this combination,” Nik Nazmi told The Vibes in an interview.
Anwar has retained his presidency uncontested, while Rafizi is facing off with secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for the number two post.
The party’s election is slated to take place from May 13 to May 18.
Forty-year-old Nik Nazmi, admitting to supporting Rafizi, said the deputy presidency contest will not be a bitter fight as previous elections, but competition within the PKR family.
“My open support for Rafizi, who recruited me into the party, is done with all due respect for Saifuddin.
“I don’t think it is a fight, but rather a competition within the Keadilan (PKR) family. I don’t see it as a problem as it’s about different strategies and approaches to politics.”
Nik Nazmi also reiterated his support for Anwar, while denying the existence of a “proxy battle” between the president’s loyalists and other camps.
I don’t think anyone can question my loyalty to Datuk Seri Anwar, and the fact remains that no one is challenging the position of the president, it’s a different story if there was.”
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi is vying for one of four vice-presidency posts as well as defending his Setiawangsa division chief post.
Seventeen others are eyeing the veep posts, including Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, Chang Lih Kang, Fuziah Salleh, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Farhash Wafa Salvador and Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.
Actor-director Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan is also running to helm the Setiawangsa division.
Nik Nazmi said he is confident of retaining the division post but welcomes Afdlin’s decision to contest as it brings “a lot of colour” to the polls.
In 2018, Rafizi’s fight for deputy president against Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali saw fierce rivalry and factionalism that almost split the party. – The Vibes, April 23, 2022
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