Rafizi promises to uphold reform

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR deputy president candidate Rafizi Ramli unveiled his team of running mates who will contest all top party posts in PKR’s upcoming election starting on Aug 24.

The team, which Rafizi dubbed “Reformasi 20 Tahun” (20 years of Reform), pledged loyalty to PKR presidential candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, promised to uphold the reform and to fight nepotism.

Talk is rife that the party polls will see a showdown between Rafizi and incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for the second highest post in the party, though Azmin, remains silent on his plans.

Rafizi, when met by the media, refused to answer whether he expected to square off against the former Selangor Mentri Besar.

Rafizi said he was announcing his team as the deadline for nominations for the top positions was originally yesterday.

However, he said the deadline had been extended to Aug 5 due to setbacks, but did not elaborate.

When asked what position he felt Azmin would go for, Rafizi said that would be Azmin’s decision, which he would make this week.

Rafizi was also asked whether Anwar gave his blessing for him to contest the deputy presidency.

“You are trying to put words into my mouth. I don’t want to go into that. This party election is a democratic process,” he said.

Rafizi earlier announced his lineup of vice-presidential candidates, namely Sungai Petani Member of Parliament Datuk Johari Abdul, Selayang MP William Leong and Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan.

He said he also discussed with incumbent vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar on her defending her position as a member of his team.

However, Rafizi said Nurul Izzah would be making an announcement on the matter in due course.

Nurul did not attend the ceremony to announce Rafizi’s running mates held yesterday, though most of the others were present.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh will, meanwhile, contest as Wanita chief, with Selangor’s Batu Tiga Assembly­man Rodziah Ismail running as the movement’s deputy chief.

Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir will contest as Youth chief while Sabah Youth chief Raymond Ahuar will run for Youth deputy chief.

Rafizi also announced 18 candidates on his team for the supreme council positions.

Several candidates made references to enemies within PKR whom they promised to fight, though they did not name anyone.

“What’s happening today is that certain people in this party are trying to sideline Anwar and Kak Wan (PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail),” said Kesavan.

“We must ensure Anwar becomes PKR president, and Prime Minister in the near future,” he added.

Rafizi, in his speech, explained that one of the reasons he was going for the post of deputy president was to ensure that Reformasi culture was practised by all in the party.

He urged members not to support leaders who promise, in exchange for support, councillor positions in local authorities.

We will fight these people all the way, said Rafizi, drawing cheers from his supporters who had packed the hall of a hotel here.