PUTRAJAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says he chose not to contest the PKR deputy presidency to preserve party unity and maintain stability.
Saifuddin said he only wanted to see the party grow strong and stable, adding that those contesting should not view the party polls as a case of "us versus them".
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"We must have the right mindset before we offer to contest.
"The right mindset is 'we are in this together', not 'us versus them'," he told a press conference after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly on Tuesday (May 13).
Saifuddin, a former party secretary-general, added that if those contesting have an "us versus them" mindset, it will contribute to party disintegration.
"So after May 24, and the party polls are concluded, we do not want to look back... we should move forward as one to prepare for the upcoming Sabah state elections.
"That is my view," he said.
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The PKR No. 2 post will be a straight fight between the incumbent, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, and Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is currently an appointed vice president.
The PKR National Congress, including the AMK Congress and the Wanita Congress, is scheduled to take place from May 21 to 24 in Johor Baru.
