KUALA LUMPUR: A culture of open debate and free exchange of ideas has long been PKR’s defining strength, says party deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (pic).
Responding to vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar’s decision to reject a proposed debate with him, Rafizi said public discourse was a hallmark of PKR’s internal democracy, including during past party elections.
“Our tradition has always embraced debates, even for deputy president candidates and AMK (Youth wing) leaders. That’s our strength.
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“Whether or not candidates accept the invitation is entirely up to them. But delegates will take that into account when they vote,” he told reporters when met at the JS-SEZ Partners Dialogue: Advancing Facilitation here on Monday (May 19).
Rafizi had proposed a public debate, suggesting it could cool tensions on the ground, sharpen focus on party direction and boost public engagement, with the party central leadership elections scheduled this weekend.
He also argued it would bolster support for party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bid for a second term as prime minister.
He reiterated that the offer for a debate came with no strings attached.
“I’ve already made the offer. I’m not going to force anyone. Every candidate or party has their own offerings for voters,” he said.
“My offering is this: let’s defend our culture – where each candidate lays out their ideas and vision, and we’re open to being evaluated by the delegates,” he added.
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Nurul Izzah, however, dismissed calls for a debate, saying her priority is to strengthen ties with delegates and continue ground-level outreach.
Her stance comes despite Rafizi’s previous show of support for her candidacy, where he warned that her defeat in the upcoming central leadership election could damage the party’s image and be perceived as a rejection of Anwar, her father.
“My offer wasn’t accepted by Nurul Izzah, so in the end, it’s up to the delegates to decide,” Rafizi said.
