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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Appointed PKR deputy president lacks legitimacy, say analysts
Rafizi Ramli said Nurul Izzah Anwar had proposed creating an appointed deputy president's post for him in a private meeting three days before party delegates voted. PETALING JAYA : Political analysts have panned Nurul Izzah Anwar's idea of appointing a second deputy president for PKR, saying such a move would lack legitimacy and could deepen internal divisions in the party. Rafizi Ramli, who lost to Nurul Izzah in the recent deputy presidency election, revealed that she had proposed creating an appointed deputy president's post for him in a private meeting before party delegates voted. Appointed posts of deputy president are rare and not practised by major parties, including Umno. However, some vice-president's positions have been appointed. Rafizi rejected the offer and has since resigned as the economy minister. James Chin. James Chin of the University of Tasmania said the proposal made little sense from a democratic standpoint, and it was right of Rafizi to dismiss it. 'You can't have a non-elected deputy president because you have no legitimacy,' he told FMT. 'If you want to have a second deputy president's post, of course, it's up to the party to decide, but it should be based on votes by the delegates.' Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said the success of a two-deputy model would depend entirely on whether both deputies were willing to work together, something she views as unlikely in this context. Syaza Shukri. 'If the deputies try to one-up each other, their loyal supporters will act the same way. That won't solve the factionalism in PKR,' she said. Syaza said it was possible to make the structure work if roles were clearly divided between political and organisational responsibilities, but warned that the idea seemed purely symbolic. AdChoices ADVERTISING 'For now, it appears to be a political effort (by Nurul Izzah) to bring back PKR from the anger and disappointment of Rafizi's camp and followers. 'People can see through this attempt, and honestly, Rafizi has the upper hand.' Rafizi has said he will return to serve as a backbencher and head of PKR's Pandan division. He previously claimed that Nurul Izzah had made a last-ditch appeal to help her after the party polls, worried the new leadership lineup could spell trouble for her father, party president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nurul Izzah beats Rafizi for PKR's No 2 post
Nurul Izzah Anwar was seen as a clear favourite to win the PKR deputy presidency after more than 200 of the 222 party divisions declared their support for her. JOHOR BAHRU : Former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has been elected as the new PKR deputy president, defeating Rafizi Ramli with a total of 9,803 votes. Rafizi and Nurul Izzah had engaged in a straight fight for the deputy presidency – a position Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, was subsequently appointed as a party vice-president. The daughter of party president Anwar Ibrahim, Nurul Izzah was widely seen as the frontrunner, with over 200 of PKR's 222 divisions expressing their support for her ahead of the election. Rafizi, the Pandan MP, previously said that he would resign as economy minister if he lost the post to Nurul Izzah. Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, and federal minister Chang Lih Kang defended their vice-president positions while Sungai Buloh MP R Ramanan completed the list of four elected vice-presidents. A total of 32,030 delegates were eligible to vote in the PKR central leadership elections. MORE TO COME
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
How Rafizi's resignation letter, empty office drove Nurul Izzah's candidacy
Nurul Izzah Anwar is in a straight fight against Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy president's post. PETALING JAYA : PKR deputy president hopeful Nurul Izzah Anwar has shared about the events earlier this month that culminated in her deciding to contest for the party's second-highest post. In her final campaign message to PKR delegates, Nurul Izzah said she was in India for a conference when she received news that Rafizi Ramli had taken a leave of absence as economy minister and also cleared out his office in Putrajaya. She said the PKR leadership was also informed about a letter of resignation from the Cabinet post that Rafizi had already prepared. Nurul Izzah said this sparked concerns that Rafizi may decide not to defend his PKR deputy president's post, which then led to unease over a potential leadership vacuum. 'This followed a series of losses at the divisional elections involving leaders aligned with Rafizi, as well as other leaders at the grassroots level. 'Because this possible leadership vacuum made many uneasy, especially PKR members and leaders, some called for me to contest for the deputy presidency. 'This call was supported by 201 of 222 PKR divisions. Only on the final day of nominations did Rafizi announce his candidacy, after I had taken up the call to contest,' she said in a Facebook post. Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are in a straight fight for the deputy presidency, which Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, was appointed a party vice-president. At the height of speculation on Rafizi's resignation, Malaysiakini quoted an anonymous minister as denying that he had resigned, saying he had only taken a leave of absence. Rafizi later said he took a week's leave from his ministerial duties to 'manage' issues that arose during the party's divisional elections. Nurul Izzah acknowledged that Rafizi's criticism over the outcome of PKR's divisional polls reflected the grouses of many divisions, which saw a change in the status quo. She maintained that every concern and issue raised by candidates must be thoroughly checked and handled by the PKR election committee. 'Although audit by an international firm has been conducted to investigate the concerns raised, it is very important for improvements to be made to the election process in answering these concerns and reducing the existing trust deficit. 'Strict measures and further improvements are crucial to inculcate a culture of responsibility, transparency and unity, values often stressed by the party's leadership.'
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Nationalising' of internal troubles repulsive to fence-sitters, PKR warned
Incumbent Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar are vying for the deputy president's post at PKR's triennial election, scheduled to be held this Friday, May 23. PETALING JAYA : PKR must prevent its internal disputes from escalating into a national spectacle to avoid alienating fence-sitters ahead of the next general election (GE16), warns an analyst. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said the party had even managed to drag one of its close allies into their squabbles, citing DAP MP Wong Shu Qi's criticism of PKR's Wong Chen for linking her party to money politics. Despite PKR president Anwar Ibrahim being the prime minister, Fauzi told FMT the party needs to be more realistic about its actual strength and support, given it holds 31 parliamentary seats, compared to DAP (40) and PAS (43). 'Among the majority Malay-Muslims, support for PKR has never hovered above 30%, as admitted by its deputy president Rafizi Ramli. 'PKR's behaviour of nationalising its troubles for public consumption is repulsive, especially for unity-loving Malays. 'It's not as if we are facing a national election between two potential deputy prime ministers,' he said, pointing out that the outcome of the PKR deputy presidency contest would have no impact on the national leadership. Much of the attention in PKR's elections is on the race for the deputy presidency, which is being contested by Rafizi, the incumbent, and Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah, a former MP for Permatang Pauh (2018 to 2022) and Lembah Pantai (2008 to 2018). Nurul Izzah's campaign has remained relatively muted, but more than 200 PKR divisions have announced their support for her, including the party's Hang Tuah Jaya division now led by Anwar's senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Akin. Rafizi, on the other hand, has been particularly outspoken in his campaign events, training his guns on various PKR leaders and candidates, and attracting criticism as a result. Rafizi, the economy minister and Pandan MP, has also broken party tradition by declining to officiate at the party's youth and women's wings congresses, a role customarily fulfilled by the deputy president. Fauzi warned that parties like PAS would seek to exploit PKR's internal discord and its struggle to muster Malay support ahead of GE16. The political analyst said Rafizi's campaign was particularly damaging for the party, describing the Malay community as one that upholds virtues such as forgiveness and does not demean enemies. 'In Rafizi's case, he has looked down upon (PAS election director) Sanusi Nor to the extent of questioning his tertiary qualification, which was legally obtained from USM.' He described Rafizi's actions as 'ignorant', leading to the 'wrongful vilification' of a political rival, and said the remarks were uncalled for. 'However you dislike your adversary, you shouldn't degrade any achievements they have accomplished.' While Rafizi's strength lay in facts and figures, Fauzi said political finesse, humility and a polished character were crucial attributes in Malay and Malaysian politics. 'That's why even in PKR, many youngsters are unsurprisingly drawn to Nurul Izzah's side. Policy debates can come at the national level, when PH is fighting against Perikatan Nasional, for example. 'But when it involves party colleagues, why should the whole nation be dragged into a debate with potentially fractious implications for PKR?'
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Nurul Izzah has a role but Rafizi's time not over yet, says Nik Nazmi
Nurul Izzah Anwar is challenging Rafizi Ramli for the post of PKR deputy president at the party elections on May 23. PUTRAJAYA : The combination of party president Anwar Ibrahim and deputy president Rafizi Ramli is the best way forward for PKR as it prepares for the next general election, according to vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Nik Nazmi said Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is challenging Rafizi for the deputy presidency, remains a crucial figure, given her popularity and appeal. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. However, he believes that Rafizi should be elected to a second term as Anwar's deputy. 'Nurul Izzah is popular, she has that youthful appeal and a lot of admirers in terms of her political support. But my point is not that Nurul Izzah cannot be deputy president. 'I also want her to succeed and she deserves a role in the party … but my point is that at this point in time, Rafizi deserves to defend his position,' he said in an interview with selected media. Nik Nazmi said the contrasting leadership styles of Anwar and Rafizi were a strength rather than a weakness. He said Anwar had a wealth of extensive experience in government and was also capable of mustering support on the road and bringing different parties together, exemplifying his political tact and finesse. For Rafizi, 'what you see is what you get', said Nik Nazmi. 'He will present stuff, sometimes it may seem a bit direct, you can even describe it as 'pedas' (spicy), but this has helped us at the toughest of times. 'They have different styles, but it is exactly that which has given us strength.' Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are in direct contest for the deputy presidency, which the former won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah did not contest then. She is currently an appointed party vice-president. Nik Nazmi is among Rafizi's running mates in this year's PKR elections and hopes to defend his vice-presidency in a crowded contest involving 11 other candidates. This includes the other three incumbents, Amirudin Shari, who has stated support for Nurul Izzah, as well as Aminuddin Harun and Chang Lih Kang, who are in Rafizi's corner. Nik Nazmi said that while there was a major contest for PKR's second-highest post, the focus of the party and delegates should be on the next general election, which must be held in early 2028 at the latest. 'I think that this party election cannot be an end in itself. It is a process to get the best leaders to strengthen the party going into GE16. We want to win and ensure Anwar continues as prime minister for a second term,' said the two-term Setiawangsa MP.
