The real reason behind PKR fight

Public opinion does not favour a father-daughter leadership in PKR but party insiders say Anwar has reached the end of his tether with Rafizi

NURUL Izzah Anwar has yet to really step up her game in her bid to replace Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli as PKR’s deputy president.

She has fought so many battles and spent such a big part of her adult life on the political stage, but this is a contest like no other she has ever faced and she is still trying to find a convincing focus in her campaign.

However, she seemed less overwhelmed at her campaign stop in Kuala Lumpur than when she spoke in Shah Alam the night before.

A lot of it was thanks to Datuk Azman Abidin, the party’s Kuala Lumpur chairman and Bandar Tun Razak division chief. Azman is the sort of grassroots leader that every political party needs.

There was a feeling of camaraderie at the event held at a cafe and Azman, who is also the Prime Minister’s political secretary, made sure that all the division chiefs were present.

The division chiefs also signed a declaration of support for Nurul Izzah. Azman’s priority was not crowd size but a targeted audience.

PKR’s Puteri Reformasi is what one might call the “establishment candidate”. She has been endorsed by top party leaders although it would be a mistake to assume that support from the top will turn to votes down the line.

However, she is assured of support from the women and the Gen Z cohort.

Nurul Izzah comes across as a modern Malay woman with cultural traits and that appeals to the womenfolk. She is polite, she is not into flashy clothes or jewellery and she has inherited the heart-shaped face of her mother and her father’s smile.

And nobody can shout “Reformasi!” like her. Her voice pierces the air like a spear and it is so loud yet feminine.

The Gen Z, on the other hand, does not seem terribly interested in what both candidates are saying. A common response as to why they prefer Nurul Izzah was: “We want change, we want something different”.

Middle age has affected Rafizi, who is 47, rather differently from Nurul Izzah, who is 44, but looks much younger.

Rafizi’s appeal is largely with the mature cohort, especially the men. Several PKR members, when met at the Shah Alam event, said they were planning to vote for the incumbent deputy president even though they have problems with his personality.

They admit that Rafizi could have done better as the Economy Minister but admire his ability to think and strategise in ways they do not see in other politicians.

A number of them said their friends and relatives are critical of the potential father-daughter leadership.

“They make fun of us and it’s hard for me to defend,” said a politician from a division in Selangor.

On the other hand, another PKR politician Ramlan Roes, who drove all the way to Shah Alam from Port Dickson, said: “I have always believed the party would one day be led by Nurul Izzah.”

However, even those who intend to vote for Rafizi say it is tough to take on the Prime Minister’s daughter.

Nevertheless, Rafizi has won the war of public opinion. Those following the live streaming of his campaign events are impressed by his perspective on the politics of the day.

He has a clear point of view and is able to shape the narrative to highlight his intellect and showcase his experience, analytical abilities and negotiating skills.

Every single one of his campaign events has been worth watching and captured public attention.

Rafizi recently put his opponent on the backfoot with his call for a debate which would have been the ideal forum to test both candidates in real time. But Nurul Izzah should have risen to the challenge instead of shooting it down.

Nurul Izzah’s campaign has been a tad too rhetorical and her messaging lacks punch and focus.

However, she aims to be a unifying figure if she wins and that is important because there are talented people in Rafizi’s team who should not be ostracised.

Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said the contest is basically about choosing between someone whom everyone can work with and someone who is difficult to work with.

“Rafizi did not play the role of deputy president and he was not seen to be helping the president. I believe that is one of the reasons why people in the party want to see a change,” said Shamsul who is also the chief political secretary to the Prime Minister.

Shamsul said party leaders are concerned that Rafizi has used his campaign to fire bullets at the party instead of standing up for the party.

But truth be told, Rafizi’s problematic relationship with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lies at the heart of what is going on.

It is a story as old as the history of politics - the No 1 does not trust the No 2, whereas the No 2 thinks he should be the No 1.

PKR leaders are aware of numerous moments of tensions between the top two as well as the less than respectful language used by Rafizi.

For instance, Rafizi wanted one of his men, Zahir Hassan, to contest the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election.

However, Azman, who is Bandar Tun Razak division chief, had already approached Anwar to propose Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the seat.

When Rafizi did not get his way, he reportedly lost his cool, banged the table and accused Anwar of favouring his family. The altercation, which took place in Anwar’s then-Jalan Gasing office, was so loud that the aides outside heard every word and every bang of the table.

“It is true, I was the one who lobbied for Kak Wan (Wan Azizah). The last two MPs left our party mid-term and I had to go around explaining to people what happened. I asked for Kak Wan because I know she would not leave,” said Azman, explaining that PKR sacked former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim whereas Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar quit to join the Sheraton Move.

Stories of discord between the president and his deputy are trickling out as the party struggles to understand why Nurul Izzah was suddenly pushed to take on Rafizi.

Anwar needs a deputy whom he trusts and can work with. According to insider accounts, the relationship between Anwar and Rafizi had deteriorated so badly that Anwar was prepared to face the stormy reaction from outside.

Rafizi is probably aware of the situation given the hints he has dropped that his real opponent is Anwar himself. But a week is a long time in politics and there are still several days to go before the party congress.

Can Rafizi ramp up his game and catch up with Nurul Izzah?