PKR leader laughs off split talks ahead of party polls

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 7 years ago · Published on 31 Jul 2018 9:15AM · 1 Comments

Johari Abdul is in the Rafizi Ramli camp but says PKR is used to dealing with factionalism. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 31, 2018.

THE presence of two camps supporting different candidates for top party positions in PKR does not signal problems ahead as the party is used to opposition, said Johari Abdul.

The Sungai Petani MP said in its 20-year existence, PKR has stood strong despite having different factions as members understood the importance of remaining united.

“We have been fighting each other for 20 years but nothing has happened.

“We are not like other parties that fought internally and then split,” he said, pointing at the Barisan Nasional pact that broke apart after the May 9 general election.

“We have fought for years but we are still okay. Whatever the results, we will stand together,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Johari said having two camps was good for PKR, as it would make the coming party elections more “orderly”.

“We don’t have delegates. We have 800,000 party members who will all cast their votes for the contesting leaders.

“So, you will need to have a team, running mates. It is so we can keep things under control. If it is all open, then it will complicate things.”

Johari is aligned with the camp that supports vice-president Rafizi Ramli, who is gunning for the post of deputy president currently held by Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Johari is eyeing the vice-president post, along with another party heavyweight Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Two others running for vice-president in Rafizi’s team are MPs William Leong (Selayang) and S. Kesavan (Sungai Siput).

Also with Rafizi are deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, who is going for the post of Wanita PKR chief, and Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir, vying for Youth chief.

Outgoing Youth chief and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is also in Rafizi’s camp. He is going for a central committee post.

Rafizi is expected to go on a nationwide campaign with his theme: “20 tahun reformasi” (20 years of reform).

On the opposing Azmin camp, among the leaders who have openly voiced their support is Deputy Primary Industries Minister Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.

He said Azmin was the right man to stand as deputy president beside de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who will contest for the PKR presidency.

Azmin has not announced his plan on whether he would defend the post or challenge Anwar for the presidency. – July 31, 2018.

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  • In all honesty Anwar should seriously consider to "undur" from helming the PKR party. He has been a de facto leader for many years and many a times his health is failing him to be physically robust for the role. He can still play an effective role by joining the Council of Eminent Elders. Let the old man if "God Willing" to finish off his full term as PM. Ripe enough for the young generation to run the country now. The Eminent Council also do need someone like Anwar as a role in equipoise the charting of the direction so that no one holds any dominant power. Rafizi and Azmin rift is all because of both outdoing each other in loyalty to their boss and that is you Anwar. Yes !!! it may seem healthy and encourages the strong competition but the fall out only makes the party and maybe the country a loser. Believe me it will not be civil in their mud slinging competition as there are no love lost between them. Both Azmin and Rafizi have the good and bad, but are also capable to do great things if they are allowed to perform to their capabilities but due to politics being a bitch , strange actions do follow to ensure survival. If Azmin and Rafizi are matured enough and have the country at heart kindly please sit down and weed out your differences , by working togather and at peace. PH is the government now and please stop all the sandiwara. PKR is now very thightly viewed under the microscope post GE14 as many silliness and uncharacteristic behaviour in self serving nature are very extensive in most of their politicians. Right now the rakyat are seeing PKR and PPBM is just another Umno party. Very blatant in the typical style of Umno wanting everything only for themselves. All the nonscences and hustling within the party are just warranting the rakyat to doubt PKR sincerity in administrating the country. A radical change is needed. Emulate your co partners Amanah. They did that and discarded away all their old PAS bad jusriprudence from corrupting their new party roles. PKR has yet to do that even with so much of "Reformasi Cries". Azmin is from ex Umno but Rafizi is fresh and full of enthusiasm as seen in his exuberent spirit.Both their characteristics will be a check and balance on themselves and PKR will be a party to reckon with. Grow up PKR!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply