PKR polls: Gooi backs Saifuddin, says can't allow party to be zero-sum game

 

PKR's Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Gooi Hsiao Leung has thrown his support behind PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to become the next PKR deputy president, over his rival former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli.

Gooi (above) said Saifuddin is a suitable candidate to help the party close ranks and work together under PKR president Anwar Ibrahim ahead of the 15th general election.

"Saifuddin’s call for unity, teamwork and cooperation - I’m sure will be well received by party members who wish to see an end to fractious party in-fighting.

"We must not allow our party elections to be turned into a zero-sum game especially when the 15th general election is just around the corner.

"As Saifuddin had rightly emphasised - we must recognise and accept the sacrifice and contribution of all our members - and win or lose he said, every party member should be accepted, and have a role to play in our party’s struggle," he said.

Echoed Anwar’s advice

Gooi echoed Anwar's advice that the success of the party should not be measured by positions or the number of elected representatives but PKR's ability to translate its reform agenda.

"To achieve our party’s objective and struggle to bring about meaningful change for a better Malaysia, we must start by putting our own house in order - and I believe Saifuddin is on the right track by rallying everyone to work together as a team and get the party ready for 15th general election.

"Saifuddin is without question the best man for the deputy president job. He has remained unquestionably loyal, steadfast and unwavering in serving the party through and through the best and worst chapters of our party’s history," he said.

Gooi added that Saifuddin had "virtually shouldered" the responsibilities of deputy president and vice president after several of the positions were left vacant following a series of defections in the Sheraton Move.

Supports Saifuddin’s vision

Gooi said he supported Saifuddin's vision wherein in a political environment where no single party can form the government, leadership in political diplomacy is necessary.

"This is not the time to be distracted by contestation of personalities, ideas and factionalism," he said.

The battle lines are being drawn ahead of PKR's election in May with various party leaders endorsing their favoured candidates.

Saifuddin and Rafizi are expected to face off for the deputy president position.

Among those who have endorsed Rafizi are Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Tanjung Malim MP Chang Lih Kang who are both contesting for a vice president position. - Mkini