
Now Rodziah challenges Fadhlina to debate on Wanita PKR's future
Rodziah Ismail (left) is challenging Fadhlina Sidek for the leadership of the PKR women's wing in a repeat of their 2022 battle.
PETALING JAYA : Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail has challenged Wanita PKR chief Fadhlina Sidek to a debate on the direction and future of the PKR women's wing.
Rodziah, who is challenging Fadhlina for the post, said she was taking a leaf from Rafizi Ramli, who two days ago said he was eager to take part in a debate with Nurul Izzah Anwar as they contest for the PKR deputy presidency.
'Today, I also want to invite the current Wanita PKR chief (Fadhlina) to a debate with me on the future of this wing. Let's see what future and direction we have planned for Wanita PKR.
'Let's debate about how we plan to increase the number of women MPs in PKR from four currently to having even more female candidates winning seats,' she said at a campaign event in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Rodziah, who is a running mate with Rafizi, said she was not a great debater but was willing to take to the platform so she could share her plans for Wanita PKR.
She also quipped that Nurul Izzah, who is vying for the PKR deputy presidency, could join them too. 'If Nurul Izzah wants to join as well, we can hold a forum instead, no problem.'
In the 2022 party elections, Rodziah lost the race to lead Wanita PKR to Fadhlina by 32 votes. Fadhlina received 18,923 votes, while Rodziah garnered 18,891.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
26 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Vanguard or victim? Rafizi closing the door on himself
From Jeffri Saling I read Terence Netto's defence of outgoing economy minister Rafizi Ramli with some amusement. He has gone to lengths to portray Rafizi as a gallant hero who stepped down in a valiant effort to stem the tide against those who would compromise the principles of 'reformasi'. While I would never challenge Rafizi's great contributions to the party and the country, I am also equally sure that they are being exaggerated. How visible was he as economy minister these past two and a half years? What did he really do? Is he really that approachable, because the feedback, even from his supporters, is often that he is aloof. How come his 'reformasi' principles weren't offended until he himself tasted defeat in the party polls? This isn't even the first time he reacted in a churlish manner, taking a step back when his contributions are needed. I wonder how staff members feel about his move, given that he has left them jobless. Given that he is an acclaimed vanguard of the reform movement, is it not immature and irresponsible of him to walk away when he is most needed? Let's not forget that the party leaders attempted to work with him after the polls. Now he is standing in the corner playing the victim. Does this really help the cause he professes to be fighting for? I fear that Rafizi is closing the door on himself. Jeffri Saling is an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.


Free Malaysia Today
36 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Fielding non-Muslims could help PAS woo non-Malays, says analyst
An analyst said dissatisfaction among non-Malays towards Pakatan Harapan could give PAS an opening, but only if the Islamic party addresses deeper, structural issues. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Analysts have proposed two key strategies for PAS to win over non-Malay voters, namely fielding non-Muslim candidates in safe seats and highlighting the party's achievements in its administration of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis – also known as the SG4 states. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PAS must move away from political rhetoric if it hoped to shift perceptions among non-Malay voters. 'So far, PAS has yet to demonstrate that it is a better option than DAP or PKR, as there's little to be proud of in its administration of the SG4 states. 'PAS must tone down its extreme rhetoric and focus on showcasing its ability to govern by making the SG4 a better model than the states governed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) or Barisan Nasional. That's what it needs to do now,' he told FMT. PAS vice-president Amar Nik Abdullah previously said that the party was targeting non-Malay voters who were disillusioned with the government ahead of the 16th general election, acknowledging however PAS's struggle to win over that segment. He said PAS faced the challenge of finding more convincing ways to gain the trust of non-Malay voters while preserving its clean image and integrity to maintain its support among the youth. Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said dissatisfaction among non-Malays towards PH could give PAS an opening, but only if the Islamic party could address deeper, structural issues. 'These include concerns about religious freedom and racial harmony, and rejecting theocratic narratives. Without such changes, discontent with PH will only be temporary, as non-Malay voters still find it difficult to accept Perikatan Nasional (PN). 'PAS also needs to overcome the longstanding distrust, including the fact that it once branded non-Muslims as infidels (kafir) – something that still lingers in the memory of many non-Malays.' PAS must be sincere in fielding non-Muslim candidates Awang Azman added that dissatisfaction with PH did not automatically mean that the non-Malays were ready to support PAS. 'PAS must be bold and sincere in placing non-Muslim candidates in winnable seats – just as Umno does with MIC and MCA – as a genuine sign of cooperation with non-Muslims. This shouldn't just be rhetoric or a symbolic gesture,' he said. Rusdi Omar of Universiti Utara Malaysia said that to attract non-Malay support, PAS must move away from an overemphasis on religious, racial, and royal sentiments, and adopt a more moderate approach. Meanwhile, Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara said PAS and PN would need to work harder than PKR, DAP, and Amanah did when they were in the opposition by championing mature politics free from racial elements.


Free Malaysia Today
39 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Open debate signals Malaysia's maturing democracy, says BBC producer
BBC's Charlie Taylor has commended Malaysia for its 'maturing democracy', saying a big part of the freedom of speech afforded to Malaysians was in being able to speak truth to power. PETALING JAYA : Malaysia's growing press freedom tells of its maturing democracy, says Charlie Taylor, producer of BBC World Questions, ahead of tonight's first-ever public debate show in the country. Taylor, who has been with BBC for three decades, said the broadcaster has held similar events in Seoul, Tokyo, Cape Town and Lithuania. He said Malaysia, the current Asian chair, stands out for its open, on-the-record debate, something not all countries in Southeast Asia permit. 'Not every country in Southeast Asia could do it. They don't all have the freedoms that you have in Malaysia where you can allow a sort of open debate to take part,' he told FMT in an interview. 'I think, having met quite a few Malaysians in the last few days, people are fairly forthright. It's hard to find someone without an opinion,' he added. BBC's World Questions programme, a global extension of the long-running 'Question Time' in the UK, will be recorded before a live audience at 6pm today, at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre. He said the forum was about empowering local voices for a global audience. 'My understanding is that freedoms here (in Malaysia) have increased over recent years and testament to that is the fact that we have been welcomed in to do our debate—an open debate,' Taylor told FMT in an interview. 'The prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) said he wants to see Malaysia as a maturing democracy. That maturing democracy is going on, and a big part of that is freedom of speech and being able to speak truth to power,' he added. Taylor said the format allows the public to pose questions to a panel of prominent political and public figures on national and international issues. The panellists are deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living Fuziah Salleh, Tricia Yeoh from the University of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics and International Relations, Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, a former deputy unity minister, and Vilashini Somiah, head of Universiti Malaya's gender studies programme. The forum will be chaired by veteran BBC journalist, Jonny Diamond. Taylor said the BBC did not come to Malaysia at the government's invitation but selected the country for its regional importance and openness to public discourse. 'No one approached us. We thought it was time,' Taylor said. 'We do 12 editions of this programme a year, and we move it around so we get different perspectives from different places.' Taylor said the programme's main objective was to allow local people to voice their questions on a global platform. 'We want to open a window on Malaysia so people get a deeper insight. 'We don't really decide what the questions are. The audience does,' he said, adding that questions may relate to any topic that may affect the nation, including corruption and tariffs. World Questions has been running since 2015, although it builds on a BBC tradition that dates back 60 to 70 years, he said. Taylor said the country's political and media landscape makes this the right time for such a forum. 'We want to open a window on a fascinating country and we want to hear people discuss their ideas in front of people who have different opinions. 'So we hope to have a difference of opinion, not argument and to listen to other people properly with respect,' he said.