Can PKR heal after intense deputy president contest?

SHAH ALAM – The contest for PKR Deputy President has drawn sharp lines within the party, with Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar going head-to-head in one of the most intense internal elections in recent memory.

This competition has exposed rifts within PKR and tested the party’s ability to navigate political rivalry while maintaining unity.

O2 Research Malaysia (O2) chief researcher Anis Anwar Suhaimi stated that Rafizi’s campaign was notably aggressive compared to his previous election bids.

Rafizi took a combative approach, openly challenging rival camps, exposing internal weaknesses and building a strong grassroots following.

"Since the start of this deputy-president contest, Rafizi ran a far more combative campaign than in previous elections.

"He openly challenged rival camps, exposed internal weaknesses and demonstrated genuine grassroots backing," Anis said.

He observed that the playing field was far from level, as rules and media narratives often appeared to favour Nurul Izzah, creating hurdles for Rafizi.

The political analyst also spoke to the critical yet fragile role competition plays in maintaining the vitality of political parties.

Robust contests and debates are essential for any party’s growth and dynamism, fostering accountability, innovation and greater engagement among members.

However, Anis cautioned that when such competition's intensity exceeds acceptable limits, it can result in lasting harm.

"Fierce competition is the lifeblood of any healthy party. Once the ballots are counted, those divides almost always heal as former rivals come together again.

"But if the intensity goes too far, if wounds are inflicted that cannot easily be mended, such as when bridges are burned beyond repair, we risk permanent schisms," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a long-time advocate for party unity, is acutely aware of the stakes, according to Anis.

"In a Madani government built on partnerships across multiple parties, he cannot afford open rifts within his own ranks.

"He will move quickly after the vote to bring the losing side back into the fold, negotiate shared priorities and carve out meaningful roles which whatever it takes to maintain team unity," Anis added.

Despite the contentious campaign, Anis believes Rafizi is unlikely to make any drastic moves if he loses, thanks in part to Malaysia’s anti-party-hopping laws, which impose significant barriers to defection.

However, Anis suggested that Rafizi might consider a new platform if he feels constrained within PKR.

"If he truly wants to prove his strength on the national stage and if he feels constrained within PKR, he may look to a fresh platform like Muda to carry his reform agenda forward," he said.

Political analyst James Chin also weighed in on the race's implications. Chin said Rafizi may not have ruined PKR’s image, but his campaign for the party’s deputy presidency undeniably damaged the PKR brand.

"Rafizi has not ruined PKR's image but he has damaged the PKR brand but I wouldn't see this as a lasting legacy," Chin said.

For now, James said the true test of PKR’s resilience will come after the ballots are counted.

"Everything will depend on whether the two factions can come back together after the results are announced so it's too early to say whether the image will be permanently damaged or not.

"Everything will be dependent on whether they can come back together inside PKR after the results," he added.