PETALING JAYA: As nominations open for PKR central committee posts today, the focus will be on whether incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli will actually be challenged for the party’s second-highest post.
What had been expected as a predictable race for the PKR deputy presidency has turned unexpectedly fluid, with grassroots leaders pushing for certain personalities to take on Rafizi.
In the past 48 hours, the party’s chapters in Johor, Selangor, Penang, Perak, Melaka, Pahang and Sabah have called for Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is also close to Rafizi, to contest for deputy president.
There are also those who have urged Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to take another bite at the apple after he failed in his 2022 attempt.
Nurul Izzah has stayed coy about her intentions, only saying that she will make the “best decision” amid support from leaders such as PKR Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek.
However, other grassroots leaders have cautioned against nominating Nurul Izzah, who is Anwar’s daughter.
A Sabah PKR leader suggested that a thorough risk assessment should be conducted before announcing her candidacy for the second-highest post in PKR, arguing that such a move could destabilise the party.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution has remained mum on whether he is considering another run.
The Home Minister and Anwar loyalist, garnered 43,010 or 41.88% of total votes cast to the 59,678 or 58.12% that Rafizi obtained when both contested for the post in 2022.
Political observers believe Saifuddin Nasution’s close relationship with Anwar would put him in the best position to succeed the Prime Minister, who is expected to win uncontested as the party president in his last term as party president.
With most of Rafizi’s allies defeated, political analyst Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian felt it will not be surprising if a senior leader decides to enter the ring for the No. 2 post.
“This election is pertinent as the person who sits in this position gets closer to becoming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s successor in the party,” added Sivamurugan.
So far, only Rafizi has confirmed that he will defend the deputy presidency but said that he will relinquish all of his government positions if he lost to focus on grassroots campaigning.
The nomination process is also set to see at least a seven-cornered fight for four of the party’s vice-president posts.
The candidates include incumbents Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, and Nurul Izzah.
New challengers for the vice-president post are PKR information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The party’s elections will take place on May 23. All office holders will serve a three-year term until 2028.
