PETALING JAYA: PKR should be prepared to answer the people, including those who are attacking the party, especially the opposition, says PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (pic).
He said, Nurul Izzah Anwar can never run from the nepotism label after deciding to contest for the deputy president position in the PKR election on May 34.
“When Nurul Izzah decided to contest for the position, the issue of nepotism can’t be cast aside, as people will have their own opinions about it. So, it is up to Nurul Izzah to explain. I don’t want to prolong the issue, but there is worry about how the people are perceiving it, he said during the Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri event at the MBSJ Multipurpose Hall on Saturday. (May 10), reported by Sinar Harian.
He added PKR cannot escape from this perception, which will be among the topics discussed at the grassroots level ahead of the 16th general election (GE16).
The issue, he said will continue to linger but the party will have to be cautious about how it is being answered without being overzealous.
However, the PKR deputy president believes that the former Lembah Pantai MP had her own reasons for contesting in the party election.
If she wins the deputy president’s post Nurul Izzah must be prepared to lead the troops and be friendly with the other political parties in the Madani government, Rafizi said.
This is because the issue is not just about what the candidate can offer but also the responsibilities he or she can shoulder after winning the position, he pointed out.
“I have no problem if Nurul Izzah is able to shoulder the task as a tough ‘General’. She will have to shoulder the responsibility of being the ‘tough guy’ against the ‘walaun’.
“I have no problem if someone else can shoulder that responsibility. I am more than happy to pass it on. The other is that the deputy president will be tasked to negotiate the number of seats for the party while leading it during the election.
“That role must be shouldered well by the Deputy President. If Nurul Izzah is confident and prepared, has a good plan and wins, then I am sure we will support her en masse,” he said.
