[UPDATED] GE15: voting Khairy akin to supporting Zahid, says Rafizi

PETALING JAYA – PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has warned Sg Buloh voters that a vote for Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Khairy Jamaluddin might not play out in the candidate’s favour.

He asserted that BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi might not have the best in mind for Khairy if BN and its lynchpin Umno manage to win over Putrajaya aided by Khairy’s possible victory in the federal seat. 

“Contributing a seat to BN (in Sg Buloh) is almost like giving Zahid a sword to chop Khairy off,” Rafizi said during a press conference at the PKR headquarters here today.

“There is a high chance that Khairy will be cut off from (BN lynchpin) Umno (if BN wins the national polls). 

“I don’t see how Zahid will let Khairy progress in Umno.”

As such, he cautioned voters to cast their ballots wisely, saying: “a vote for Khairy (in Sg Buloh) is a vote for Zahid.”

Khairy, who is known to be a Zahid dissenter, had previously challenged the latter for the Umno presidency during the party’s 2018 election.

Rumours have also been rife that Zahid is prepared to be a possible prime minister candidate if BN wins the 15th general election.

Meanwhile, Rafizi, who is also PKR elections director, revealed that there had been “different opinions” on whether the area’s incumbent R. Sivarasa should defend his seat.

“I and the (PKR candidate selection) committee wanted to retain Sivarasa but the final decision (on who to field) is in the hands of our president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim),” he said

“We received some feedback urging us to reconsider our choice of candidate but we respect (Anwar’s) decision.”

Following BN’s announcement that Khairy will be fielded in the Sg Buloh parliamentary seat, PKR supporters had urged the party to reconsider its choice to place former MIC treasurer-general Datuk R. Ramanan in the constituency. 

Yesterday, Ramanan’s candidacy was officialised at an event to introduce Selangor Pakatan Harapan candidates. – The Vibes, November 3, 2022