[UPDATED] Rafizi wins PKR deputy presidency, Saifuddin concedes

KUALA LUMPUR – Rafizi Ramli cemented his return to active politics with a big win over PKR stalwart Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in the party’s deputy presidency race.

Rafizi took a step back in December 2019, only to announce his return in March this year and challenge for the party’s number two role.

He has also openly criticised the “big tent” approach, saying such a move would mean PKR will have to embrace politicians in the rakyat’s bad books, and urged the party to instead focus on strengthening itself.

In today’s much-awaited results, Rafizi secured a significant majority in popular votes and division support after tabulating ballots in 13 state chapters.

He secured the garnered majority in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Kelantan, Kedah, Johor, Pahang, Perak, Penang, Federal Territories (FT), and Terengganu – except Sabah and Perlis, which went to Saifuddin.

With the Sarawak results early Monday, Rafizi garnered 1,097 votes and a majority in 16 divisions versus Saifuddin’s 1,059 and support from 14 divisions, drawing in one – making this the closest margin in any state.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin conceded at around 9pm, congratulating Rafizi and vice-presidents Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Chang Lih Kang, among others.

“My take is simple and clear. Respect the decision by party members and do not break ties over this. Democracy dictates who are the chosen ones and who are not.”

He said in a Facebook post that his duty now is organising PKR’s national congress, which is set to take place next month with a participation of 3,000 delegates.

It is a clean sweep for Rafizi in Terengganu, garnering a majority in all eight divisions and a total vote of 1,266 as opposed to Saifuddin’s 784 votes.

After counting all votes in 13 FT divisions, Rafizi has the majority in 12 divisions, totalling 2,908 votes compared to Saifuddin’s 1,374 and only getting an upper hand in Labuan.  

In Penang, Rafizi has a slim lead with 2,989 votes and seven divisions while Saifuddin garnered 2,645 and majority in six divisions.

In Perak, Rafizi secured a convincing win with 6,213 votes and 21 divisions while Saifuddin had 2,201 and support of three divisions.

Rafizi took the lead in Johor with a total of 3,967 votes and winning 23 of 26 divisions. Saifuddin could only garner 1,117 votes and three divisions.

As for Pahang, Rafizi took a very comfortable lead with 1,863 votes and secured the support from 13 divisions while Saifuddin managed 425 votes and one division.

In total, the former Pandan MP has garnered 69,041 votes as PKR concludes counting for all states, while his rival secured 49,915 votes, trailing by 19,126.

Saifuddin narrowed Rafizi’s popular votes’ lead despite only winning six of the 25 divisions in Sabah. His win was bolstered by huge margins in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and Tawau.

Saifuddin managed to get 8,585 total votes while Rafizi garnered 6,814.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin won big in Kangar, giving him a total of 760 votes in Perlis, edging out Rafizi’s 593 even though he took Arau and Padang Besar.

In Selangor, Rafizi won 13 of the 22 divisions, obtaining 25,449 votes compared to his rival’s 22,111.

In Negri Sembilan, Rafizi managed to secure seven of the eight divisions with 5,522 votes, more than double Saifuddin’s vote of 2,559, with the latter only managing to win the Rasah division.

The story is the same in Melaka, as Rafizi swept all six divisions with 2,427 votes as opposed to the 1,464 obtained by Saifuddin.

Rafizi also comfortably took 10 of Kelantan’s 14 divisions with 3,107 compared with 2,107 for Saifuddin.

Saifuddin managed to win four of the 15 divisions in Kedah, garnering a total of 2,724, but it fell short compared to Rafizi’s 4,846 votes. – The Vibes, May 29, 2022