KUALA LUMPUR – PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s push for candidates who had lost in the party polls to accept their loss and focus on strengthening the party as the 15th general election (GE15) looms has been deemed a call for political reconciliation for the sake of the party’s future.
Universiti Malaya’s Administrative and Political Studies Department senior director Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub opined that despite attempting to soothe political struggles within PKR, Rafizi is facing adversity preventing him from achieving success in the party.
Speaking to Getaran, The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal, he urged leaders who constantly make the former Pandan MP a target for attacks to immediately halt their actions as the wellbeing of the party should be prioritised.
“If they are always going for a leader, I think that PKR cannot progress further, much less face the upcoming GE15,” he said, noting that Rafizi had already held meetings with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Previously, Rafizi had said that PKR must continue its agenda to strengthen the party, adding that the party’s National Congress should not be postponed just to cater to failed candidates.
He said that his priority as deputy president is to prepare the leadership and machinery to face contenders during GE15.
Tawfik also claimed that Anwar should take immediate action against those who lash out at Rafizi as his appointment as party deputy president was a grassroots’ decision.
“Anwar must do his part and not remain silent as those who voted for Rafizi were grassroot representatives, not just those in higher positions,” he said.
He warned that there will be negative impacts if Anwar fails to take the necessary steps, including advising his top leadership if anyone among them is still dissatisfied with the results of the party polls.
“Anwar must remember that PKR was formed by the struggles of people on the streets. He cannot brush aside the grassroot voices as leaders will come and go,” Tawfik stressed.
“Anwar will leave the party one day and it will be the responsibility of its members to continue the fight for the betterment of the party.”
Meanwhile, Awang Azman Awang Pawi, a sociopolitical analyst at Universiti Malaya, said that instead of focusing on their differences, PKR members must band together under Anwar’s leadership and avoid breaking into separate groups as GE15 draws closer.
He added that he is confident that Anwar will bring up the issue of unity in the party at the party’s congress next weekend.
“I think at the next PKR congress, Anwar will raise the issue of moving forward as one. We will then be able to see (the agenda) more clearly,” he said. – The Vibes, July 9, 2022
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