Be realistic about our election chances, Rafizi tells PH

 

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli says Pakatan Harapan should not go into denial about their election prospects.

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan should be realistic about the coalition’s changes at the next general election and not be overconfident of victory, according to PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

He said it would be better for PKR and PH to settle for remaining in opposition “with dignity” than to trumpet their optimism about winning the 15th general election.

“We have to ensure the balance between the government and the opposition blocs. PH and PKR must be a functional opposition that could play the check and balance role,” he said.

In an interview with Sinar Harian, he acknowledged that his view was not favoured by PH leaders. However, the coalition must not be in denial about their election chances, especially as voters themselves did not believe PH was able to win.

He said Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional had been at the forefront of recent state elections, with PH constantly left behind.

Rafizi returned to active politics after a two-year hiatus and is a candidate for the PKR deputy president’s post. His rival is secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

A former party strategist, Rafizi said PH and PKR must attract fence-sitters to vote for the coalition at the next general election. “We have to convince them because we need their mandate. It is better to be honest than make unrealistic promises,” he added.

PH and PKR would have a better hope of convincing more voters by being realistic, he said.

“We may not have much time before GE15, but if we have the right strategy, we might be able to sway about 3% to 4% of the fence-sitters,” he said.

He said BN’s defeat at the 2018 general election was because the former ruling coalition had been in denial about the erosion of support. - FMT