KULIM – Former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar must win the PKR Deputy President post despite being the daughter of the party’s president, according to Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
The Economy Minister, who is officially defending the post, stated that Nurul Izzah’s defeat could be seen as PKR members rejecting party president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
Rafizi said he accepted Nurul Izzah’s victory is the only sensible outcome in the current party polls, even if some grassroots members disagree.
"If Nurul Izzah loses, what message are we sending to the people?
"The message is that even party members are rejecting Anwar. That’s why Nurul Izzah must win. If she loses, we’ll go into the next general election unable to face the Opposition or handle the internal and external political fallout.
"Vote for Nurul Izzah, because there can be no other outcome. Whatever your personal preference, the final decision must favour Nurul Izzah.
"Otherwise, it would mean Anwar has been rejected,” he said during the ‘HIRUK: Reviving the Ideals of Reform in the People’s Test’ tour in Kedah on Monday.
Rafizi said that even if it means losing his position and influence, he prioritises the continuity of PKR’s role in government to ensure the reform agenda can move forward.
"That’s my approach this time. I don’t mind. I just don’t want us to go into this internal election and end up with a huge defeat in the general election. As for those at the top, it’s okay – even if we lose ministerial or parliamentary positions. I feel sorry for you all – the members and party machinery.
"When it comes time to campaign, it’s you who will have to meet the public night after night,” he said.
He stressed that if Nurul Izzah wins, she must be supported, as the responsibility awaiting her is heavy, especially in the current political climate.
"As the incumbent Deputy President, once Nurul Izzah is contesting, there can be no outcome other than her victory for the sake of party stability. Support her and help her, because the burden she is about to carry is massive under these circumstances,” he said.
Political observers believe Rafizi’s chances of defending his post are increasingly slim after many of the division chief candidates he backed lost, potentially weakening his influence at the national leadership level.
At the same time, Rafizi reminded members that the public is watching, and the organised effort to elevate Nurul Izzah to the party’s number two position could not escape the perception of nepotism.
Citing political history in Cuba, he recalled how Fidel Castro appointed his own brother, Raul Castro, to key government roles – an example of nepotism that undermined the Cuban revolution.
"While in exile in Mexico, Fidel befriended Che Guevara, a revolutionary figure. In Fidel’s group was his younger brother, Raul Castro. After successfully toppling General Batista and becoming president, Fidel appointed Raul as Defence Minister, while Che Guevara became Minister of Industries. But eventually, competition for influence emerged – people started aligning with whoever was closer to whom. If they couldn’t get to Fidel, they turned to Raul. If Che Guevara disagreed with Fidel, people would whisper to Raul. In the end, the revolution to lift Cubans out of poverty was never fully realised,” Rafizi said.
He warned that every move made by party members – including those he described as "more spoon than the gravy” – would be scrutinised by the public and could damage PKR’s standing in the 16th General Election (GE16). – AWANI