‘Cold war’ possible, but not break-up: Fahmi on PKR polls

KUALA LUMPUR – The coming PKR election in May will not lead to a split in the party as the contest will be a democratic process guided by party discipline, information chief Fahmi Fadzil has said.

The party polls, scheduled for May 13 to 18, are expected to be hotly contested, with former party strategist Rafizi Ramli returning to the fold by declaring that he would stand for deputy president.

Fahmi said the contest may lead to a “cold war” between the competing camps, but stressed that the party will make sure to enforce discipline to clamp down on any disturbances.

“PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all who are contesting and involved in the election process to maintain ethical conduct and party discipline,” Fahmi told Getaran, The Vibes’ sister portal.

“During our last central leadership meeting on Thursday, it was stressed that the disciplinary board will play an active role in ensuring discipline and ethical conduct among party members, especially during the election.”

Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said they are expecting intense competition for the deputy president position and the four vice-president posts.

All but one of the positions are vacant, with Chua Tian Chang the only vice-president still holding his post.

Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, a key player in the infamous Sheraton Move, quit the deputy presidency in 2020 to eventually join Bersatu. He was joined by then vice-president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar quit as vice-president in 2018, while Kuala Langat MP Xavier Jayakumar left PKR last year and declared himself an independent lawmaker aligned with the then Perikatan Nasional ruling coalition.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, slated to be among the potential contenders for deputy president, said yesterday that he will not rush to a decision as he would want to first gain the views of the party’s leadership at all levels.

He said whichever way he decides, it would be in the interest of adding value to the party and that he would not allow the contest to affect camaraderie among its members. – The Vibes, March 28, 2022