Rafizi stands firm on skipping PKR Youth, Wanita congress

 The deputy president says he is skipping the event to protest a lack of consultation over the Sabah PKR machinery launch.

The PKR Youth and Wanita wings congress, traditionally opened by the party’s deputy president, will be held on May 22 in Johor Bahru. (PKR pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 PKR’s Rafizi Ramli has stood his ground on skipping the party’s upcoming Youth and Wanita congress, traditionally opened by the deputy president, citing principles over politics.

Rafizi said his refusal stemmed from a breach of party protocol after the Sabah PKR election machinery launch was allegedly announced without prior discussion by the party’s political bureau or central leadership council.

Rafizi Ramli.

“There was no meeting, no official notice. Suddenly, a poster came out saying Nurul Izzah Anwar and Amirudin Shari would launch the election machinery on the same date and time as my programme,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying at a campaign event in Perak last night.

Media reports have confirmed that Nurul Izzah and Amiruddin were in Sabah to launch the PKR machinery for the state chapter.

Rafizi said the move placed grassroots leaders in a dilemma and exposed serious communication gaps within the party leadership.

“We must have proper procedures. We must have decorum. If everyone acts as they please, how can we run the party properly?” he asked.

Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh expressed hope that Rafizi would reconsider his decision and uphold the longstanding party tradition.

The deputy president had reportedly sent a letter to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim informing him of his decision not to accept an invitation to officiate the two meetings.

The Youth and Wanita wings will have their congress on May 22, with the opening ceremonies held the night before. The party’s central leadership election is scheduled for May 23, followed by the national congress opening on May 24.

Rafizi said his stance was not to block anyone, but to ensure discipline and respect for the party’s long-established structure.

“If they really want a new deputy president, go ahead. If they want to appoint Nurul Izzah or Amirudin to launch it, go ahead. I won’t stop them,” he said.

He also cautioned against normalising breaches of protocol for political convenience, especially with the approach of party elections.

“We’ve been taught in this party that if something is wrong, we must speak out. We should never normalise wrongdoing,” he said.

“I’ve made my decision. I will not attend. Let me bear the consequences as long as I don’t normalise something that’s wrong.” - FMT