Rafizi to revive reformist spirit via 'HIRUK' in battle royale against Nurul Izzah for PKR's No. 2 post
ALL eyes will now be on PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli who aspires to keep the reformasi momentum alive with his 'HIRUK' campaign tagline as he defends his post in a two-horse race against Nurul Izzah Anwar at the party's central leadership election for the 2025-2028 term on May 23.
An acronym for Hidupkan Idealisme Reformasi Dalam Ujian Kuasa (Keep Reform Idealism Alive in a Test of Power), the Ecinomy Minister who is renowned for his campaigning prowess will embark on a nationwide tour to rekindle the spirit of reform that has been a foundation of PKR's struggle since 1998.
Rafizi who had earlier offered to quit as minister and PKR No. 2 to propel the party for GE16 (16th General Election) has now made it clear that PKR should not be turned into 'an elitist or dynasty-based party'.
'We must return to rakyat (grassroots) and the voice of reform,' the Pandan MP was cited as saying in a campaign message circulated on social media.
The HIRUK nationwide tour series will kick off tomorrow (May 11) with the spotlight on the Melaka & Negeri Sembilan Zone at 9pm in Klana Resort Seremban.
Rafizi who toppled fellow contender Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (former PKR secretary-general) for the No. 2 post in the 2022 party polls (59,678 vs 43,010 votes) has nevertheless hinted in jest that the decision to defend his post was never easy to make.
'After two credit cards and one debit card were rejected, and my bank account having exceeded the limit, I finally managed to pay the nomination fee,' he tweeted on X.
Setelah 2 kad kredit kena reject, 1 kad debit reject, bank akaun exceed limit ha3, akhirnya berjaya bayar yuran pencalonan 🤣
Saya baru sahaja selesai mendaftar sebagai calon Timbalan Presiden KEADILAN bagi pemilihan ini. pic.twitter.com/ZuYiAzxK6K
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) May 9, 2025
'I've just completed my registration as a candidate for the Keadilan deputy president for this election.'
Brushing aside allegations of her decision to contest would breed nepotism, Nurul Izzah denied that her action would transform PKR into a 'parti bapa, anak & emak' (literally FAMA party).
'Actually, this label is not a new attack. In fact, since 1998 when the party founder and Reformasi fighters jointly established KEADILAN, this label has been used to belittle our struggle,' recalled the former Permatang Pauh MP.
'When I won the vice-president post with the highest number of votes in 2010, 2014 and 2018, the same attacks were still being made (Nurul Izzah did not contest in the 2022 party polls to focus on the Ayuh Malaysia movement).'
The eldest daughter of Prime Minister and party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim further stressed that 'I'm not interested in a cabinet position even if I win the deputy president position'.
PEMILIHAN PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT 2025
'Bermesyuaratlah dengan mereka dalam urusan itu. Kemudian apabila engkau telah berazam
(sesudah bermesyuarat, untuk membuat sesuatu) maka bertawaqallah kepada Allah SWT ,
sesungguhnya Allah Mengasihi orang-orang yang bertawakal kepada-Nya'… pic.twitter.com/DpPjdmi6XY
— Nurul Izzah Anwar 🇲🇾 🌺 (@n_izzah) May 9, 2025
'I'm confident that those who read this statement rationally can distinguish nepotism which is being appointed by family members for a position from a competition voted for by the grassroots,' justified Nurul Izzah.
'I believe that the strength of KEADILAN always lies in its grassroots branches and machinery.' – May 10, 2025
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