Keep contests friendly, says Saifuddin Nasution on PKR polls

PETALING JAYA: Keep contests for the upcoming PKR election "friendly and healthy", says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The PKR secretary-general said although he was going up against Rafizi Ramli for the deputy president post, the rivalry must not result in party disunity.

"I want to stress that this is a friendly family contest. It cannot result in the collapse of friendship, the destruction of comradeship.

"Regardless of who wins the contest, I will celebrate Rafizi as a comrade of mine who has plenty of qualities," said Saifuddin at a press conference at a PKR election campaign event here on Saturday (May 7).

Saifuddin, who was Kulim Bandar Baharu MP, said PKR was keen to avoid the party's 2018 election fiasco, which created two opposing factions.

The intense internal fighting then ultimately resulted in the Sheraton Move in 2020, where allies of the then-deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali defected and caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

"I am confident that we will not see a repeat. It is this spirit which makes this election different," said Saifuddin.

At the event, Saifuddin unveiled his running mates who were contesting for several top posts in the election.

Among those in Saifuddin's camp vying for the four vice president posts were Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai and Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

The contest for the vice presidency would see a fight between 17 candidates.

Also unveiled as part of Saifuddin's team was Adam Adli, who was gunning for the PKR Youth chief post and Fadhlina Sidek, who was contesting the women chief's post.

Saifuddin said his team comprises a diverse group of candidates, including both veterans and fresh faces.

"We have veteran leaders like Tian Chua and R. Sivarasa, who are core founding members.

"We also have new faces like Adam and Fadhlina. This is in line with our team which is #KamiSemuaKeadilan (We are all Keadilan)," said Saifuddin.

Rafizi's camp included Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Voting for the PKR election would be conducted between May 13 to 20, which included online and in-person voting.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim won the party president's post uncontested.