PKR president Anwar Ibrahim downplayed speculation of a rift between him and his new deputy, Rafizi Ramli, welcoming the latter and noting his good intentions despite their differences in opinion.

In his closing speech at the 16th PKR Congress today, Anwar said Rafizi’s election as party deputy president was a “relief” and the “Panadol” he needed for his headaches.

“I’m not discouraged because I know his intentions are good. The problem is that there are so many stupid supporters.

“They do not understand that the spirit of brotherhood is strong, there may be differences, but at least there is no treachery. There can be stubborn, hard-headed people, but they are not traitors, robbers or corrupt people,” Anwar said.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief admitted that Rafizi made a lot of hard-hitting statements, but added that the former Pandan MP has worked very hard for PKR. 

“There are controversies, sometimes it gives me a headache, but his speech today was like Panadol and it cleared my head.”

Anwar added that Rafizi’s intelligence and skills are “extraordinary” and that such people who are hardworking and do not mince their words can cause tension. But, he reiterated, he knows Rafizi’s intentions are good.

Rafizi has been vocal about opposing the “big tent” idea pushed by some in the opposition to work with non-PH opposition parties for the 15th general election (GE15).

While proponents believe the big tent approach is the best way to prevent Barisan Nasional from regaining federal power, Rafizi and others against it say PH will risk losing its supporters and must find other ways to win back disillusioned voters.

For the party’s election of new central leadership committee (CLC) members, Rafizi even put out a “menu” of candidates he endorsed who are against the big tent idea like him, and told party delegates to reject leaders who support the idea. 

Of the 25 candidates he endorsed, 13 were elected today to the CLC, dominating the 20 seats available.

Anwar, at a press conference later, said PKR had never pushed the big tent approach. Rather, he said his role as opposition leader in Parliament requires him to foster good relationships with other opposition parties. 

“If it is a big tent in the sense of cooperating with those who are treacherous and do not support the reform agenda, then it cannot be done,” the Port Dickson MP said.

He urged PKR members to focus their attacks on political opponents and not at each other.

Rafizi, speaking at the same press conference, reiterated his opposition to political cooperation with other parties, saying it should not be PH’s sole strategy when facing GE15. 

“It should not be the main strategy. If there are some seats in Sabah and Sarawak where it is certain they will reject Umno and Barisan Nasional, and (other candidates for those seats) are not tainted by corruption, then they can add value. Of course, it has to be discussed first, but overall, it (big tent) should not be our main strategy for GE15.

“PH and PKR should offer solutions that are fresh and are in line with our principles, and then it’s up to other parties to cooperate with us,” Rafizi said. 

He reiterated that he does not want to repeat the experience PH had with Bersatu, which pulled out of the coalition and sided with Umno and PAS in 2020, causing PH’s loss of federal power. – July 17, 2022.