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KUALA LUMPUR – PKR members and the public can look forward to a party election that is expected to be filled with drama and surprises come May, with the key focus on the battle for the deputy president’s post.
While Umno chose to postpone its internal elections at its general assembly in March, PKR seems to be more valorous in wanting to continue with its party polls in a bid to recapture the support of the people.
Although the campaign would officially start after nominations kick off today, party supporters have been actively promoting the leaders of their choice, especially on social media.
In the clash for the party’s number two post, three prominent figures are widely touted to be in the running. They are current secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, vice-president Rafizi Ramli and former Perak chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.
Interestingly, Farhash was later reported by Malaysiakini as saying that he would step aside from contesting the seat if Saifuddin goes for the party’s second highest post.
He had said that he would instead contest for a vice-president’s post in the hope of working alongside Saifuddin and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as he views the combination as the perfect trio to strengthen PKR.
However, if fate is not on his side, he had stressed, he would remain open-minded and committed to continuing the party’s fight.
“If Saifuddin contests (for deputy president) then I will contest for the vice-president’s position. I’m not the type to sulk or abandon friends during hard times,” he is quoted as saying by Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.
“For me, PKR is a democratic party which offers equal opportunities to all. Whatever the decision, I will stay with the party and go to the ground to strengthen the party.”
This further confirms that Farhash’s resignation as PKR’s Perak chairman may not have been in vain as it seems that he could have had an ulterior motive.
Speculation has been rife from the moment of his resignation that it was planned to give way for him to contest as an MP in the upcoming general election.
Nevertheless, Farhash’s participation in the internal election is deemed to give new life to the party’s top leadership, as well as creating new exuberance and strengthening Anwar in the nation’s political arena.
As for Rafizi, although he is not Anwar’s “favourite”, his recent comeback after his self-imposed “break” from politics was anticipated by many. This is especially so given the fact that many Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters, especially within PKR and the public, have wanted him to return to active politics.
The reemergence of the founder of Invoke Malaysia is said to give new hope to PH to face the 15th general election and restore the support of fence-sitters, especially towards PKR, which needs vigour from new leaders after the party’s heavy defeats in the recent Melaka and Johor state polls.
Rafizi’s spirit should be admired even if he does not succeed in winning the deputy president’s post.
He had said that he wishes to concentrate on efforts to work on the ground to meet party grassroots in order to bring back the “aura” of the people’s support, as once achieved by PH when it won the 14th general election.
“If we cannot afford to restore the public’s confidence, the deputy president’s post means nothing because PH and PKR are in a dire situation,” Rafizi said.
“If a situation like the one in the Johor state polls arises again, we would have to go through the horrible scenario which was once faced in 2004,” he said.
The former Pandan MP’s attitude and stance should not be taken lightly by certain quarters because he is supported by his party leader’s daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar.
In contrast, Saifuddin has the support of party “old-timers” in his bid to claim victory in the PKR polls.
The former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister’s loyalty towards Anwar has been rather evident and he is seen as Anwar’s right-hand man.
Despite confirming that he does not possess the power of “cai” (cult personality) like his competitor, the Kulim Bandar Baru lawmaker’s mature character and demeanour can help him garner enough support to be elected.
“Actually, my ‘cai’ consists of all PKR leaders who have offered to contest (in the party polls),” he said.
Party race strengthens PKR, empowers democracy
In a nutshell, the writer is confident that the 2022 PKR election would not trigger a treacherous drama, similar to the one that transpired during Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s last days with the political outfit.
Although it is expected to be a fierce fight, the writer is of the view that the clash between Rafizi and Saifuddin is akin to a family affair.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) political analyst Junaidi Awang Besar also acknowledged the matter and stressed that the polls would be able to strengthen the democratic system and the election itself, which has previously caused dissatisfaction among grassroots members.
“It is not easy to hold an election and control various whims if it involves all the members,” he said.
“However, there will be no split because in the end the decision to elect the deputy president lies in the hands of the grassroots members.
“They need to really choose who they want to have working alongside Anwar to unite the party where there won’t be any more camps,” Junaidi said.
The election geography lecturer opined that the clash between the two influential leaders would be intense and is sure to attract the attention of many.
“Although Saifuddin said he does not have a ‘cai’ while Rafizi may have a strong one, we can see this fight as a whole because there are pros and cons to the ‘cai’ system which can change the outcome.
“Regardless, all decisions depend on the party members.”
The same sentiments were shared by Perikatan Nasional’s information coordinator Badrul Hisham Shahrin who said the internal polls are very interesting this time around, as they involve the party warhorses’ favourite leader and an individual who is wholeheartedly supported by Nurul Izzah.
The former PKR central leadership council member said it appears Saifuddin has “retreated” to give way to Rafizi because of the latter’s unique ways of attracting people, especially voters and fence-sitters, to support PH in the next general election.
“From my meeting with PKR friends a few days ago, I found that there are members in PKR who see Saifuddin as a ‘back-channel negotiator’, including negotiating with Umno on behalf of Anwar, while Rafizi would unite the party against Umno,” Badrul revealed.
Therefore, the writer is optimistic that the election of PKR’s top brass would take place in a friendly manner, despite dissatisfaction among party members.
It is hoped that incidents like “flying chairs” and infighting as well as “gangsterism” culture could be avoided at all costs in order to remove the bad stigmas associated with the PKR election.
The people do not want to see more sabotage attempts orchestrated by certain quarters to provoke fights and create a negative perspective of the party, which could make way for Umno bringing down PKR. – The Vibes, April 9, 2022
Translated by Isabelle Leong
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