When PKR faced betrayal, some chose hiatus - Saifuddin Nasution

 

Some PKR leaders chose to go on hiatus when the party was at its lowest ebb, said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“It was difficult for PKR when some key leaders chose to betray us. (Some) among those who stayed with us chose to go on holiday.

“The responsibility of strengthening the party was left to (PKR president) Anwar Ibrahim and others,” said Saifuddin Nasution on his Facebook page.

The “betrayal” remark by Saifuddin Nasution (above) likely referred to the “Sheraton Move” which saw a string of PKR MPs and party leaders defecting in Feb 2020.

As for the political leader that went on hiatus, Saifuddin Nasution was likely referring to Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi was one of PKR members appointed as vice-presidents in December 2018. It is understood that he had neither fulfilled his role nor attended PKR leadership council meetings since.

It was also possible that Saifuddin Nasution was referring to Nurul Izzah Anwar, who quit as PKR vice-president in December 2018, shortly after being elected the month before with the highest votes.

Nurul Izzah also relinquished her appointment as the head of Penang PKR.

On March 15, Rafizi announced his political return and said he would offer himself as a candidate for the PKR deputy presidency, which is currently vacant.

Following this, Nurul Izzah has hinted that she will be teaming up with Rafizi in the party elections, which will be held in May.

So far, the only other PKR figure to announce candidacy for the deputy presidency is Farhash Wafa Salvador Mubarak. However, there is speculation that Saifuddin Nasution was eyeing the position as well.

‘Party decisions a collective responsibility’

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said PKR leaders must accept collective responsibility.

“Every party decision is made collectively. Regardless of the outcome, we must take responsibility.

“We can’t simply wash our hands,” he said.

This was likely in reference to Rafizi's statement on March 15, in which he said he decided to not participate in PKR’s leadership in recent years because he refused to be a party to decisions he could not abide with. - Mkini