Anwar is not on anyone's side, says Rafizi as tension rise with Saifuddin

IPOH - PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli is confident that party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not siding any individual or group as internal polls draw near in mid-May.

He said it is only a perception of certain parties who perceive Anwar's statement as supporting Rafizi's rival, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for the deputy president's post.

The outspoken former Pandan MP said the current party election is focused on PKR's performance and Anwar has his responsibility cut out.

"I understand that sometimes Anwar looks like he is defending Saifuddin but as a party president, there is a need to explain why the performance is like this (at its lowest) even though the strategy and planning is actually carried out by groups that support or should be helping the president.

"Just because Saifuddin was implementing the party's strategy before this does not mean he (Anwar) defends Saifuddin," he told reporters after the Yakini Rakyat gathering with Rafizi Ramli at Fook Tat Chee Hall, Gunung Rapat, here on Sunday.

On GE15, Rafizi seat negotiations would be easier this time as it only involves parties in the PH - PKR, Amanah and DAP. In 2018 polls, Bersatu was part of PH.

"Party members know that I negotiated seats nationwide in the last GE. Even if I win or lose, the party will still use my negotiation skills.

"All negotiations are based on which party could lead to victory. For instance, if PKR is stronger, of course PKR has a chance to get more seats or vice versa," he said.

Rafizi is contesting for the party's number 2 post and will compete against Saifuddin, the PKR secretary-general. Rafizi was recently quoted as saying he made room for "jobless" Saifuddin after being defeated Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat in the 2013 general election.

Saifuddin has so far dismissed claims that Rafizi was instrumental in his appointment as a strategic adviser to the Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng in 2017. He further maintained close relations with Lim and as such was invited by the then chief minister to be an adviser to the state government.

On the secretary-general’s post, Saifuddin said he was appointed by Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who was the PKR head then, in 2016 because Rafizi was facing a defamation suit filed by the National Feedlot Corp.