Rafizi-Nurul Izzah contest is about strengthening party unity, says PKR man

 Fahmi Ngah describes the fight for the deputy president’s post as a ‘healthy, open and democratic contest between family members’.

Some party leaders fear that the showdown between deputy president Rafizi Ramli and his challenger Nurul Izzah Anwar could leave PKR more fractured than fortified.

PETALING JAYA:

 PKR’s Fahmi Ngah has sought to allay concerns that the battle between Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar for the deputy presidency at the party polls later this month shows that there is division within.

In a statement, Fahmi insisted that the face-off between Rafizi, the current PKR deputy president and Nurul Izzah, the daughter of president Anwar Ibrahim, highlighted the political maturity and the wealth of talent the party has.

“This contest is not about differences but about strengthening the unity in the party and building towards a better future,” Fahmi, who himself is eyeing a spot in the party’s central leadership committee, said.

He described the battle between the duo as a “healthy, open and democratic contest between family members”.

“It is reflective of PKR’s commitment to provide opportunities to young leaders to step up and lead the party and nation.”

Last week, some party leaders expressed fear that the showdown between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah for the second highest spot in PKR could leave the ruling party more fractured than fortified.

One party source told FMT that there would be “no real winner in this contest should it take place”.

Tonight, Fahmi paid tribute to both Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, saying that they were no strangers to championing reforms.

Fahmi Ngah.

Fahmi said following the “Sheraton Move”, which led to the collapse of the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan government in 2020, it was Rafizi and Nurul Izzah who helped unite the party and inspire confidence once again in PKR.

“They held their ground at a time when many decided to abandon the cause.” - FMT