INTERVIEW | The upcoming PKR election is shaping up with at least two vice-president candidates backing former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli's bid for the deputy president's post.
In a joint interview with Malaysiakini, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (above) and Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang pledged to look beyond "shortcuts" to reclaim Putrajaya.
They also elaborated on their plans to run for two of the four elected PKR vice-president’s posts alongside Rafizi’s slate of candidates.
The duo noted the need for a fresh line-up to strengthen the party at a time when PKR is at one of its "lowest points" as evidenced by a string of election losses since the last 14th general election (GE14) in 2018.
"In order to help and assist the party, we need to energise our support base.
"We hope that by adopting a different approach other than bashing the government on the betrayal of the people's mandate or gaining back power; we should focus on offering better policies, (policies which are) closer to the people's heart," said Chang, an incumbent PKR vice-president.
A third candidate, former Kapar MP G Manivanan, has also announced his candidacy as a vice-president candidate backing Rafizi.
Alluding to the Sheraton Move in 2020 that saw Pakatan Harapan being ousted from Putrajaya after 22 months, Nik Nazmi said any talks of "shortcuts to power" must be set aside in preparation for the next general election speculated to be called before this year’s end.
"The best way is to have this young capable team (in PKR). We are proud of our party, our identity, and what we stand for. What Rafizi has been very clear about is that we have to go back and stand up for what PKR believes in.
"There were talks of shortcuts to power since the Sheraton Move, but we have to move beyond that now as GE is coming," he said.
Nik Nazmi, who has risen through PKR’s ranks from leading its youth wing to being a current member of the party’s central leadership council, added: "I think people want to see the clear identity of PKR and Harapan going forward to the next GE15."
Ending hiatus
Rafizi last month ended his hiatus from active politics by announcing plans to once again contest the PKR deputy presidency post.
He has also been sparring with former premier Najib Abdul Razak over another alleged scandal surrounding a public institution - this time, the management of Sapura Energy.
Rafizi did not defend his Pandan parliamentary seat in GE14 and later the same year narrowly lost the contest for the PKR deputy president against then-incumbent Azmin Ali.
He was subsequently appointed as a party vice-president before taking a step back from active politics in 2019 during the early months of Harapan's federal administration.
Chang said their collective experiences both within PKR and politics have resulted in a "like-minded team" with a focus that goes beyond reclaiming Putrajaya in GE15.
"I think besides our history and background, it’s important that we are a like-minded team, it is not about Rafizi per se.
"I think getting power is important but we need to at least have some values and principles. We cannot go all out for power without any bottom line.
"That is what we think as a team. That’s why we are offering other approaches and focusing on policies," said Chang, who is also a former PKR Youth leader.
"Harapan has been a bit distracted after the Sheraton Move and I don't blame anyone," said Nik Nazmi.
"We have never been ministers and so maybe our thinking is different.
"If we were ministers before, maybe we would be more concerned about getting back power. But now the approach is that we need to go for general elections and so we need to be clear on what we stand for.
"There's no shortcut to power," stressed Nik Nazmi.
Factional infighting
PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, a former minister under Harapan's administration, yesterday confirmed his bid for the deputy president post.
He is the third person to declare his candidacy for the position after Rafizi and former Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.
Farhash, however, previously told Malaysiakini he was ready to give way to Saifuddin and contest a vice-president's post instead if the Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP were to contest the party's number two post.
Further, Nik Nazmi recalled how he first backed Rafizi's bid for the PKR Youth chief post in 2010, nine years after the latter recruited him to be a party member.
The last PKR election, which centred around Rafizi's battle against Azmin, was marred by factional infighting that culminated with the departure of the Gombak MP and nine other MPs to join Bersatu in 2020, followed by their supporters.
The PKR leadership also announced an internal purge that saw sackings of members and leaders accused of being Azmin sympathisers.
"That level of factionalism is not there (anymore). That is very clear," said Nik Nazmi.
"Despite factionalism being a part and parcel of politics, I think it is easier to work within the framework now. We overall can have better discussion and communication which last time did not happen.
"There are pockets that remain hardcore but otherwise they mostly understand the need to put party above everything else," he said.
This time, both Nik Nazmi and Chang also said they looked forward to a "friendly contest" between Rafizi and Saifuddin, based on their existing relationships working with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim who is expected to retain his position uncontested.
Everyone has their strengths
Regardless of the outcome, Nik Nazmi said he envisioned a final line-up led by Anwar that involved both Rafizi and Saifuddin, as well as Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar who had since December 2018 quit as PKR vice-president.
Nurul Izzah, Anwar's daughter, has hinted at her return as a part of Rafizi's team but has yet to make any formal announcement on whether she would be contesting the fourth vice-president spot or any other positions.
Echoing Nik Nazmi, Chang said, "I see Rafizi and DSAI (Anwar) having different characters and strengths so they will complement each other. That will make him (Rafizi) more suitable for the position.
"But having said that, Saifuddin also has many strengths, so it's good to have everyone together in the same leadership," he added.
The PKR election will take place from May 13 to 18. Nominations will be on April 9.
PKR is the only party in the country which practises a one-person-one-vote system in electing the top six party positions - president, deputy president and four vice-presidents. - Mkini
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