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Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nurul Izzah's victory may fuel family dynasty narrative, analyst warns
Nurul Izzah Anwar won convincingly in her straight fight against incumbent Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy presidency on Friday. PETALING JAYA : The narrative surrounding Nurul Izzah Anwar's rise to PKR's No 2 spot must be tempered to counter claims about her family's grip on the party, an analyst said. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said if Nurul Izzah's camp fails to manage and explain the situation properly, she risks losing PKR's ideological diehards and younger supporters. 'If not handled inclusively, this victory could also cause internal splits or dissatisfaction among other leaders, including Rafizi Ramli's supporters, thereby weakening the party from within,' he told FMT. Nurul Izzah won by a landslide in a two-way fight with incumbent Rafizi for the PKR deputy presidency on Friday. According to the party election committee, she garnered a total of 9,803 votes, or 71.7%, while Rafizi obtained 3,866 votes. Awang Azman said Nurul Izzah's win was not a personal victory, but a reflection of a trend within PKR which was trying to balance idealism and pragmatism of power. 'For PKR, this is an opportunity to show that familial ties do not necessarily equate to nepotism. Instead it could represent a blend of tradition and modernity, and a form of strategic unity. 'However, this must be managed wisely and inclusively ahead of the next general election,' he said. University of Tasmania's James Chin said Rafizi should refrain from making any disruptive moves for now, as he plays a crucial role in holding the government together. 'I hope Rafizi will not leave PKR, will not throw tantrums and choose to remain in the Cabinet. I hope they can accommodate him. Because I think over the long term, Rafizi and Nurul Izzah make a good team, and will be PKR's strength,' he said. Merdeka Center's Ibrahim Suffian agreed that the Rafizi-Nurul Izzah combination would prepare PKR well for the next general election. He said Rafizi's polling numbers showed he has significant support from the grassroots, and that this is not the end of the road for the economy minister. As for Nurul Izzah, he said, her win was about the continuity of Anwar's vision for the party and the government that he currently leads. 'It will also mean that she will have a prominent role in preparing the party for the general election and making up for the shortfalls that have dogged it in the past. 'While Anwar will lead the government, she will be strengthening the party in clear coordination with him,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nurul Izzah takes lead in PKR deputy presidency race
Nurul Izzah Anwar had been seen as a clear favourite to win the PKR deputy presidency after more than 200 of the 222 party divisions stated their support for her. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has taken the lead in the race for the PKR deputy president's post, having so far garnered 72% of votes, according to a source. Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah are in a straight fight for the PKR deputy presidency, which Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, was appointed a party vice-president. Nurul Izzah, the daughter of party president Anwar Ibrahim, was seen as the clear favourite to win the race after more than 200 of the 222 PKR divisions stated their support for her. Rafizi, the Pandan MP, previously said he would resign as economy minister if he lost the post to Nurul Izzah. A total of 32,030 delegates were eligible to cast their votes for the PKR central leadership elections. The results are still being tallied and are expected to be released at 9pm. MORE TO COME
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Win or lose, Rafizi's forever a friend, says Nurul Izzah
Nurul Izzah Anwar and Rafizi Ramli are in a one-on-one contest for the PKR deputy presidency, which the latter won in 2022. (Facebook pic) JOHOR BAHRU : Nurul Izzah Anwar says that Rafizi Ramli will always be her friend, although the pair are competing against one another for the PKR deputy presidency in this year's party elections. Nurul Izzah said that, whether she wins or loses the contest against Rafizi, she would always consider him a good friend of hers. 'Win or lose, it won't impact the friendship that we have established after all these years. Rafizi wasn't just my friend in the past – he's my friend now and forever,' she said at a campaign event here this evening. Nurul Izzah and Rafizi are in a one-on-one contest for the PKR deputy presidency, which the latter won in 2022. Nurul Izzah did not take party in the party polls that year and was appointed a party vice-president. Rafizi has been outspoken and unapologetically confrontational over the past week, training his guns on multiple leaders as he raised what he claimed were recent lapses in party discipline and leadership accountability. He has not been directly critical of Nurul Izzah but did say that her candidacy had put her father, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, between a rock and a hard place given the only two possible outcomes of the race for the deputy presidency. Rafizi said PKR would be accused of practising nepotism if Nurul Izzah was elected PKR deputy president while, if he won, critics would claim Anwar had been rejected by his own party.
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Noise vs peace: deputy presidency showdown a hint at PKR's future?
Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar, both reform icons in their own right, are mounting contrasting campaigns in the race for the PKR deputy presidency. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : As the race for PKR's deputy presidency heats up, the contest between incumbent Rafizi Ramli and his challenger, Nurul Izzah Anwar, is shaping to be as much about style and strategy as it is about ideology. Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, both reform icons in their own right, are mounting contrasting campaigns, each reflecting their political persona and vision for the party's future. Rafizi's campaign, branded 'Hiruk'—which literally translates to noise or commotion—is understood to represent a fighting spirit, and he has stayed true to its name. The two-term Pandan MP has been bold, outspoken and unapologetically confrontational over the past week, appearing set on exposing and addressing internal weaknesses within PKR. He has also raised what he claims are recent lapses in party discipline and leadership accountability, training his guns on multiple leaders from the campaign stage in various states. His message resonates with reform-minded urban voters, who view his vocal approach as necessary for internal checks and balances, and even on the unity government. On the other side of the ring, Nurul Izzah has opted to focus on unifying the party with her 'Damai' campaign, which translates to peace or reconciliation. The appointed PKR vice-president's campaign has been centred on alleviating tensions and healing wounds among divisions while uniting the party's grassroots, an approach seen as subtle, gentle and measured. Her campaign has largely been rooted in emotion and party loyalty, appealing to long-time members and division leaders—with more than 200 of the 222 divisions publicly pledging support for her. Rafizi's approach is perceived by supporters, particularly the urban base that forms the backbone of PKR's base of support, as genuine and necessary, though some have found it harsh and brash. Others, meanwhile, say Nurul Izzah's softer strategy lacks substance while her apparent confidence, buoyed by strong support from the PKR divisions, has, at times, bordered on complacency. However, the sentiments of party members as well as the general public do not always reflect those of delegates voting on Friday. The 'nepotism' challenge For Nurul Izzah, the perception of nepotism looms large as an unavoidable reality, given that her father, Anwar Ibrahim, is the party president. Even if she wins democratically through the polls, critics will inevitably label her rise as a continuation of family dominance within the party. While her track record is respectable, she and Anwar would have to manage the optics of him leading the party with her as his deputy. On the other hand, Rafizi is perceived as independent-minded, bold enough not to toe the party line, and unafraid to call out issues. In a party accused of growing complacent, his presence is seen by some as necessary to keep PKR from turning into a personality cult. However, that has come with its own baggage, with the economy minister accused, even by the likes of outspoken PKR MP Hassan Karim, of being divisive and trying to sideline Anwar. Critics have also questioned his priorities after he took one week's leave from his ministerial duties to 'manage' issues that arose during the party's divisional elections. The odds and the possible outcome Based on public declarations and endorsements, Nurul Izzah is the clear favourite to win the race. Almost every division has stated support for her, making Rafizi's path to victory an uphill battle. While Rafizi's campaign may be passionate and fiery, it may not be enough in a party election system that prioritises loyalty and the party structure. However, this contest is shaping up to be more than just a race between two capable leaders — it is a signal of where PKR is headed as it prepares for the next general election. On the one hand, Rafizi's push for speedier reforms and greater internal scrutiny could lead to discontent and infighting within PKR. On the other hand, the path of stability and continuity offered by Nurul Izzah comes with the risk of perceived nepotism. While both leaders have stated the need to ensure Anwar gets a second term as prime minister, the means by which they go about as PKR deputy president in pursuit of that outcome are invariably going to differ. The PKR national congress, along with the party's youth and women's wing assemblies, will be held from May 21 to 24, with polling for the central leadership elections scheduled for May 23.
Malay Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Rafizi: I could have a heart attack if I win PKR deputy presidency
JOHOR BARU, May 21 — The incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli last night predicted his own defeat in the race for the PKR deputy presidency, joking that he would have a heart attack if he were to win this Saturday. Rafizi is defending his position as deputy president against Nurul Izzah Anwar in a direct contest. The 47-year-old Cabinet member and Pandan MP insinuated that his defeat was a foregone conclusion. 'This is because I know that everything has been 'arranged' for the position in the election this time round, just like what happened in the recent PKR division elections in several locations,' Rafizi alleged. 'I can guarantee you that if I do unexpectedly win, I could have a heart attack, as it is certain that I will lose.' Rafizi said his time in the party since 1999 has taught him how to read the signs, which he said all pointed to his loss. Despite this, he said he would 'have no problem with that.' Rafizi made these remarks during a speech at the Jelajah Hidupkan Idealisme Reformasi dalam Ujian Kuasa (Hiruk) programme, held at the New York Hotel in Jalan Datuk Abdullah Tahir here last night, but did not name Nurul Izzah directly. Yesterday, Rafizi claimed to have strong grassroots support but would face a 'problematic system' that caused upsets during the divisional elections. The elections last month saw the unexpected defeats of senior leaders seen as aligned with Rafizi, leading to complaints of irregularities with the online voting. Rafizi insinuated that the same could happen in the central committee elections this week, and repeated his offer to resign from the Cabinet if he loses his party post.
