Has PKR given Izzah her dues at last?

The party leadership seems to see the need to pass the mantle to the next generation of leaders.

PETALING JAYA: The latest changes to the PKR leadership indicate a move to give young leaders a bigger say in running the party.

A political analyst who is also a party insider told FMT he was particularly glad that Nurul Izzah Anwar had finally been given a position equal to her abilities and charisma.

Izzah has been named Co-Director of Elections. The other director is Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The insider, who declined to be named, questioned the need to have two election directors, but attributed it to Anwar Ibrahim’s tendency to want to please “all sides” in making his decisions.

“Nevetheless,” he said, “Nurul Izzah’s appointment will be welcomed by a large portion of the party membership, especially the grassroots.

“She brings with her a diverse range of experience and the skill sets needed to rejuvenate the election machinery.”

Referring to Izzah’s election victories in 2008 and 2013, in which she defeated serving cabinet ministers to win the Lembah Pantai seat, he said she had “battle-proven election strategies and organising capabilities”.

He also pointed out that she had consistently won the highest number of votes in contests for one of the vice-presidential seats in PKR.

“Undoubtedly, her political vision and leadership in this new and crucial role represents a test to the ongoing generational transition of young politicians in the country,” he said.

“It is indeed a defining moment for democracy.

“She will be able to lead in pressing for electoral reforms and add focus to the effort, beginning with the upcoming delineation exercise by the Election Commission.”

The analyst also welcomed the choice of Penampang MP Darell Leiking as one of the vice-presidential appointees.

“Darell enjoys a close working relationship with all leaders in PKR,” he said. “Like Nurul Izzah, he represents the future of the party.

He sees Darell’s appointment as a “highly credible” move by PKR to bolster its effort to gain support among the non-Muslim natives of Sabah.

The analyst admitted to being “perplexed” by the appointment of Rafizi Ramli as Secretary-General.

“Being sec-gen requires one to be neutral since it is a coordinating role,” he said.

“For the party to appoint him seems perplexing since he does not enjoy grassroots support.

“And he lacks legitimacy. Has anyone noticed that he has not been held accountable for his strategic failures, especially in the Kajang move?”

He said these alleged weaknesses, particularly his perceived partiality towards certain factional interests, would make it difficult for Rafizi to perform in his new role.

“He is not a team player. He is known to operate on his own, and some have said that he is a lone wolf that is likely to go rogue.

“There is concern on the ground, with some people saying that he got the job because of close relationship with Anwar Ibrahim.”

Anwar, speaking to reporters at Parliament today, said Rafizi was party president Wan Azizah Ismail’s choice for the secretary-general’s post.

“It’s a good decision,” said the party supremo.

The new PKR leadership line-up was finalised last night at a meeting of the party’s political bureau and central leadership council. The full list can be seen at the PKR website.