Anwar: Rafizi no longer ‘di pinggiran’, should use correct way to criticise party

 

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at his newly-minted deputy Rafizi Ramli this evening for airing the party's dirty laundry in public.

This comes after Rafizi earlier today shared his view about party members being defensive of Anwar and told them not to continue bodek (pandering to) the party president.

Anwar said Rafizi should accept the fact that he is now a member of PKR's top leadership, and he should use the proper party channel to air his concerns.

"He knows his focus, his role. He is no longer Rafizi di pinggiran (on the sideline).

"The person you were talking about just now is Rafizi di pinggiran. (But) today's Rafizi is in party top leadership.

"So, he must accept this fact, because I will be delegating many important duties to him. He will be responsible (for the party) directly," Anwar said.

Earlier today, Rafizi called party members who are Anwar loyalists to stop being defensive of the PKR president and makes him seem untouchable from criticisms.

He also said they should accept the fact that Anwar has been losing his popularity and work towards making the party more appealing to the rakyat.

‘Typical Rafizi’

Unperturbed by Rafizi's criticism, Anwar said it was typical of the former Pandan MP to show his support and be openly critical at the same time.

He said while PKR allows criticisms and objections, Rafizi should respect organisational discipline and use an internal forum.

The party president said they will talk to Rafizi, in hope that he would tone down party internal issues and focus instead on facing their real enemies.

"Internal issues can always be discussed. We can criticise, advise, object, (but) using internal channels. This is the organisational discipline and party consensus," said Anwar

During the presser, Anwar also refuted Rafizi's claim that party members and leaders were always being defensive of him.

He said in party leadership meetings, there will always be disagreement and criticism of his views.

Anwar also admitted that there are weaknesses on his part, including in wooing support from the younger voters.

"Of course, I do not have the strength to attract youth’s support, unlike 40 years ago.

"But this need not be said during a party congress when everyone is having positive discussions about strengthening the party and about unity," he said. - Mkini