Rafizi Ramli, who is eyeing the deputy president post in the upcoming PKR election, urged contender Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to reveal his position on the party's direction and strategy to face the general election.
“It is time for other candidates, namely my rival Saifuddin and the other top candidates, to explain their stand on the party's direction and the contribution each of them could make in boosting the party's chances in the national polls,” he said.
In a statement today, the current PKR vice president and former Pandan MP said he hopes the party polls will result in leadership elected due to their performance and not a result of personal attack campaigns.
He called for the party polls next month not to be tainted with emotions and personal attacks.
“I am aware there are candidates who spread ideas around that they are the choice of the party president (Anwar Ibrahim) and that gives the impression members are not loyal to the presidential institution if they do not vote for these candidates.
“Such campaigns should be stopped immediately,” he said.
Rafizi (above) hopes party members will vote for a leader based on their personal assessments according to the performance and stance taken by the candidate.
“Through the online voting system we adopted, the right to vote will be given to each ordinary member and eventually it reduces the influence of ‘warlords’ in the party,” he said.
“To make it easier for PKR members to make up their mind, I call on the candidates to explain their stance on the party's direction for the next one to three years, particularly relating to general election strategy.”
No to ‘big tent’ strategy
Rafizi said the party must return to the original strategy that resulted in PKR winning the previous general election.
“We must be confident that the people will respect us if we uphold their voices. Therefore, I reject any attempt to look for a shortcut with any party that could tarnish the idealism of justice,” he said.
He said he was referring to political cooperation, negotiations, or new alignments in the name of a ‘big tent’.
“We do not believe in any strategy negotiated in a closed room among political aristocrats.
“This party polls will be a referendum among ordinary members to decide whether some groups who continuously want to negotiate various collaborations with rival parties have a mandate from party members,” he said.
Rafizi also announced his electoral team who will be running for vice president positions in the party.
They are Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang, and former Kapar MP G Manivannan.
Rafizi's team also includes Selangor PKR Women chief Rodziah Ismail and former student activist Fahmi Zainol who are contesting the Wanita chief and Youth chief posts respectively.
As for Nurul Izzah Anwar who will be sitting out of the party polls, he said the Permatang Pauh MP will be focussing on the Ayuh Malaysia campaign to woo voters who are still on the fence ahead of the 15th general election.
PKR will go to the polls next month where over a million members will choose the six topmost office-bearers of the PKR central leadership council while another 20 council members will be elected by 2,664 delegates.
The party polls will see Rafizi and his team clash with Saifuddin and other candidates aligned with the former domestic trade and consumer affairs minister.
Anwar has won the party president post uncontested. - Mkini
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