KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has chided PKR, saying that a change in the leadership line-up will not change its image as a “rhetoric” party.
In a Facebook post today, Puad said Rafizi Ramli winning the PKR deputy president post won’t do the party any good.
“The combination of Anwar-Rafizi retains PKR as a rhetoric party. Both are experts in perception. Both are perfect for each other,” he said, referring to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He added that Rafizi’s win over rival Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is an indication that Anwar is losing support within the party.
“Rafizi’s win is very surprising. It’s a rejection of Anwar. There is also pressure on Anwar to retire early. Anwar’s influence has declined in and out (of the party).
“The majority of PKR members have given the signal that Anwar is no longer the poster boy or a dependable PM candidate. This is more so after many pro-Anwar leaders have lost at the division level.”
It is a common perception that Saifuddin is favoured by Anwar for the deputy president post.
Despite being with the party through thick and thin, Puad said such traits were not enough for Saifuddin to win the post, adding that Rafizi’s narrative was more acceptable to party members.
Earlier today, Umno’s Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin also congratulated Rafizi over his win.
The recently concluded PKR election showed many party old guards unseated from their posts, such as former PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang losing out the Batu division chief post to P. Prabakaran.
Another upset was Kedah PKR Datuk Johari Abdul, who lost his Sg Petani division to Bakar Arang assemblyman Simon Ooi Tze Min.
Unofficial results also showed former youth activist Adam Adli clinching the PKR Youth chief post. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
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