Recalling vicious PKR polls of past, Nurul Izzah reminds members to be disciplined

 

PKR leader Nurul Izzah Anwar has reminded party members to keep their emotions in check in the upcoming party election to avoid a recurrence of the vicious infighting that dragged down the party and the government.

She said competition for positions in the party should take place in the spirit of family among party members because the main focus should be winning the 15th general election (GE15).

“We have to understand what we mean by PKR family.

“We don’t want a meaningless victory as in to win at the party level but lose the general election,” she said, according to a report by Bernama.

Nurul Izzah, who was officiating the annual general meeting of the PKR Gombak branch yesterday, urged PKR members to adhere to party discipline during the election.

Deep divisions

In the previous party polls in 2018, a deep schism occurred within the party with supporters of then deputy president Azmin Ali eventually leaving the party as part of the infamous Sheraton Move which scuppered its chances of assuming power.

As far back as the 2010 party polls when former minister Zaid Ibrahim was in the party, PKR's internal polls had revealed deep divisions within.

Nurul Izzah, who is Permatang Pauh MP, reminded members to understand that the party’s election this time will take place before GE15.

“In life, we have choices, we have to give dignity to choices (that are made), it’s not just a matter of short-term wins.

“Any movement should have organisational discipline,” she added.

She said that if someone in PKR lost the party election, it should not be allowed to affect PKR’s chances of winning GE15.

“I think many of us have the same concerns. In every fight, there are winners and losers, and one would feel more when they lose. We are human, “she said.

The party is rebuilding with Nurul Izzah's ally Rafizi Ramli announcing that he will contest the deputy president post, but Nurul Izzah herself declined to comment on whether she will contest in this year’s party election for the same post.

Nominations for PKR polls are expected to be held next month while the election will take place in May. - Mkini