[UPDATED] Anwar isn’t untouchable, I won’t be quiet if he’s wrong: Rafizi

SHAH ALAM – Newly elected PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has hit out at party members who appear bent on defending Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on all matters, saying he will not be drawn into playing such a role.

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of PKR national congress here, Rafizi took issue with certain quarters within the party whom he said are constantly brown-nosing their president.

He believes that Anwar does not need any defending and that the party’s priority should instead be on appealing to voters in their bid to recapture Putrajaya.

“Our problem is there are certain groups surrounding Anwar who feel the need to defend him to the point nothing can touch him. This can’t be the way.

“I will not be playing that role. If I feel something is wrong, that does not mean I believe Anwar is wrong.

“It’s simply in the best interest of the party that we address any problem, be it involving Anwar, me, lawmakers or council members, because we are judged as a party.”

Rafizi was asked to comment on outgoing secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s speech yesterday defending Anwar as the undisputed leader of PKR, and dismissed any notions that the latter is a liability for the party.

Saifuddin, who lost the deputy presidency race, had said while Anwar has his weaknesses, members should hold him in high esteem since he is the leader, and that any warnings or challenges should be done in a respectful manner.

Rafizi today said if he was Anwar, he would instead pay attention to factual findings that PKR is losing popularity – warning that this could translate into election results if nothing was done.

He also said not everything should revolve around Anwar, as long as the party emerges victorious.

“We have to see if, for instance, we need to appeal in terms of policies in order to win, then that is what we have to focus on.

“If PKR is less successful in winning the hearts of the youth, then we need to find a way. If this role does not involve Anwar, I think that’s not a problem. In the end, we need to win.”

PKR polls results show members against ‘big tent’

Commenting on Anwar’s continued support for a big tent approach, as reiterated during his policy speech earlier today, Rafizi said the recent PKR election result showed that the majority of members are against the idea.

He added that any plans to cooperate with parties outside Pakatan Harapan (PH) should also consider two main factors – the sentiment of PKR and PH grassroots and supporters, as well as the positive and negative implications of such alliances.

“I think the new leadership will surely come up with a framework, which will not just be carried by Anwar, but also me when negotiating with PH and other parties.

“The difference is my stand has always been clear, that we can’t run away from strengthening PH. That is our core. If there are other parties in certain constituencies that want to negotiate for political cooperation, but not join PH, that’s fine.”

Rafizi said further discussions on the matter will only begin once the final PKR leadership is announced tomorrow when the 20 new central leadership council members are named. – The Vibes, July 16, 2022