KUALA LUMPUR – PKR deputy president candidate Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the party will uphold its democratic practices in the event that its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim decides to leave the political arena.
He said the party understands that its leaders are elected based on members’ own assessments.
“That is why for me when I offered myself (for the deputy president’s post), I have to accept my (subsequent) fate,” he explained.
“If the party’s members choose me, I will fulfill my responsibilities.”
Saifuddin, who is the party’s incumbent secretary-general, said this during question time at today’s debate between him and his opponent Rafizi Ramli, who is a current vice-president. The duo are set to contest for the deputy presidency in the party election later this month.
Saifuddin added that if the members rejected him for Rafizi, he would remain fighting for the party until its ambitions of governing the country and placing Anwar as prime minister are achieved.
The Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP said this in response to a question posed by Universiti Sains Malaysia political sociologist Sivamurugan Pandian, who asked whether the number two leader in the party is seen as the president’s successor.
Saifuddin explained that no one had challenged Anwar who has thus retained his position as president.
He noted that the number two leader’s role is to manage PKR’s efforts to consolidate itself, instead of focussing on building an individual’s own political empire.
“A problem occurs when the second in command is more passionate about building a political empire. That was a problem faced in the past, but today we have the opportunity to correct it,” he said.
“When Rafizi and I offer choices to party members, we are confident that we can work as a team, we can create a solid collaboration.”
Saifuddin said that as a party member of 23 years, he believes that the second in command should be a leader for all party members.
“(The leader must) strengthen the organisation at the grassroots, set a clear direction, provide leadership, and get consensus while practising a consultative approach,” he said.
“He must be a team player and also be willing to work with everyone.” – The Vibes, May 11, 2022
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