No longer a parliamentarian or holding any government post, Rafizi Ramli said today his "jobless" situation has placed him in the best position to contest for a PKR deputy president's post.
"I am 'jobless' but that's okay. I am in the best position to contest.
"I can't offer anything more than my dedication to our ideals of forming the party," said Rafizi in his speech at a function held in Ampang to unveil his line-up of candidates to contest in the upcoming PKR party polls.
In introducing his team, Rafizi said they largely comprise individuals who have sacrificed towards the Reformasi cause since 1998 and aspired to continue the struggle under the leadership of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, not only as the party's future president but also as the 8th prime minister.
Rafizi also listed four reasons for his decision to contest, the first being to set up a team of leaders who are both capable of voicing their disagreements, even towards Anwar's views, but yet willing to abide by his final decision once it has been made.
"Everyone who knows me will know that when I disagree with something, I will strongly voice my disagreement.
"But once a decision has been made, we know it's the party's decision, and we know the decision was made by Anwar and Wan Azizah, then we should abide by it fully," he said.
"Don't just say we agree to a decision but turn around and go against it," he added.
Rafizi, who did not defend his Pandan parliamentary seat in the 14th general election and subsequently declined to accept any government positions, said his second reason for contesting was to help strengthen Pakatan Harapan, particularly in states that they have yet to capture.
"We want, in the next election, for PKR to win 70 seats," said Rafizi, who noted that Harapan could still lose Putrajaya in the next general elections despite their historical win against BN in GE14.
Overall, he said PKR should be strengthened as the party was perceived to be Harapan's "weakest link" despite being the largest component in Harapan.
After 20 years since the launch of the reformasi movement, Rafizi said his third reason to contest was to keep alive the spirit to constantly push for change, even though PKR has formed a part of the government.
Among others, he urged party members to reject any attempts to bring in a culture of feudalism and political patronage, which they have fought against when BN was in power.
"We must avoid feudalism, we must speak out against the culture of political appointments, money politics and feudalism," he said.
As for his fourth and final reason, he reiterated that his "joblessness" has allowed him an opportunity to assist PKR members who have sacrificed themselves for the party since its early days.
"I want to start a PKR cooperative with the ultimate goal of being able to do business for the benefit of members and create jobs for them," said Rafizi, who pledged to follow through with his promise even if he was not elected as the party's deputy president.
The PKR election will commence on Aug 24 over nine weeks with the results expected to be announced in November.
Leaders announced today were for all central positions starting from the three vice-presidents' post.
Rafizi in his speech hinted that PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar has agreed to defend her post as a part of his team but he later told reporters it would be best for her to make the actual announcement.
"I would not have mentioned her name if I have not discussed the matter with her," he said when met after the function.
The full line-up of Rafizi's team:
Deputy president: Rafizi Ramli
Vice-presidents: Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan, Selayang MP William Leong and Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul
Wanita PKR chief: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Fuziah Salleh
Wanita PKR deputy chief: Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail
PKR Youth chief: Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir
PKR Youth deputy chief: Raymond Ahuar
Central leadership council members (20 positions but 19 announced. Rafizi will announce the other position next week)
- Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid
- Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh
- Subang MP Wong Chen
- Former Kapar MP G Manivanan
- Hulu Selangor MP June Leow
- Semambu assemblyperson Chean Chung
- Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Haron
- Bukit Selambau assemblyperson R Summugam
- Sabah PKR Youth chief Raymond Ahuar
- Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Halim Hussain
- Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
- Ijok assemblyperson Dr Idris Ahmad
- Klang division chief Yew Boon Lye
- Kuala Selangor division chief David Selvam
- Lumut division chief Admiral (R) Imran Hamid
- Former Rantau candidate Dr R Streram
- Merbok MP Nor Azrina Surip
- Johor grassroots leader Dr Zaliha Mustafa
- Semporna division chief Amin Mim -Mkini
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