PUTRAJAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar losing the contest for the PKR deputy presidency later this month would not indicate a rejection of her father and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The former party secretary-general said he disagreed with incumbent party No. 2 Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli that this would be the case.
Saifuddin said Rafizi's recent remarks on the contest were unique to PKR.
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"I may be contesting against you, but I ask the members to vote for my opponent, not me.
"But, I don’t see Nurul Izzah’s possible defeat as a rejection of support for Anwar, or as a rejection of Anwar’s leadership.
"This is a contest between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, one which party members are carefully evaluating before making their decision," he told a press conference after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here on Tuesday (May 13).
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In a shocking move Monday (May 12) night, Rafizi urged his supporters to instead back rival Nurul Izzah Anwar in the upcoming party central leadership election.
Speaking during his campaign tour here, Rafizi said Nurul Izzah’s defeat would reflect poorly on the party and be seen as a rejection of Anwar.
“Let’s say Nurul Izzah loses, what signal would it send to the people?
"This is just an example. If she loses, it will send a message that PKR members reject Anwar. That is why Nurul Izzah must win. She has to,” he was quoted as saying by an online portal.
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Nominations for PKR’s 2025-2028 term closed on Friday (May 9), confirming a one-on-one contest between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah for the deputy presidency.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains uncontested as party president.
