SELANGOR will be the frontline of the clash between Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli for PKR’s deputy president post as a lion’s share of the members come from here, said party sources.

Former Selangor menteri besar Azmin, who is now economic affairs minister, and his challenger Rafizi both know this is the state to win big as it has more than 100,000 voters out of an estimated 800,000 nationwide.

For deputy women’s wing chief candidate Dr Daroyah Alwi, Azmin’s campaign at the branch level is crucial in reminding supporters of his services to the party, in addition to his track record as MB.

“Competition is normal and may the best man win. Each candidate needs to show his strength to ensure victory.

“We will not take the election lightly. We are working hard to campaign for (Azmin). Azmin is seen as a success story in Selangor. We proved that we can bring progress to the state, even when we were an opposition state,” the Selangor welfare affair exco told The Malaysian Insight.

Azmin’s grassroots campaign is being strengthened to head off Rafizi’s growing influence, especially among younger party members, said volunteers.

A Selangor PKR assemblyman, who supports Azmin but declined to be named, estimated that a recent influx of 300,000 young voters could affect Azmin’s chances at retaining his post.

“I think when Rafizi contests for the deputy post, Azmin can still defend it due to his strong support. But Rafizi is well respected among young people and newer party members. He only came up in (the) 2008 (elections). A lot of young people look up to him.”

More than 300,000 members joined the party between May 9 and June 26. The party elections are held from September to October with Selangor being the last state to hold its polls.

PKR central election commission secretary Ismail Yusop said Selangor has the highest number of voters, followed by Sabah and Johor.

However, he could not reveal the actual numbers as he has yet to obtain approval from the political bureau.

Another party source said Azmin still enjoyed strong support from the grassroots and is credited with helping to build the party from its humble beginnings.

Azmin also has influence over new Selangor MB Amirudin Shari.

“Azmin is popular with the grassroots and Rafizi at the national level. But if you follow the overall performance of Rafizi as vice president and secretary-general, you don’t see it.

“Azmin is moving quietly and pragmatically. He has grassroots. The menteri besar is also now a central executive council candidate, who will also raise Azmin’s contributions during his campaigning,” said the source.

Political analyst Assoc Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Thalib said the fierce competition between the two leaders will decide the future of PKR and Malaysian politics.

“Azmin is more popular and has charisma at the national and grassroots level,” said the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturer.

“Rafizi is more emotional because he is well known as a whistle-blower who has revealed a lot of corruption by individuals and institutions both at the state and federal levels.

“In terms of leadership and examples, Azmin has proven his statesmanship in leading Selangor but Rafizi has not yet had a chance,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

However, Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi believes that Rafizi has a strong chance of defeating Azmin if the weaknesses of the Selangor administration are used as campaigning material.

“If the campaigns reveal the weaknesses in Selangor’s administration, then the image will be affected. So, the support towards the incumbent will be affected.

“Some of these issues are cronyism in the selection of local council members, which recently caused some dissatisfaction,” said the political lecturer at Universiti Malaya.

“Selangor is controlled by camp Azmin and Zuraida (Kamaruddin, PKR women’s wing chief). If allegations that challenge their integrity are blown up, there might be an upset,” said Awang.

He added that PKR supporters come from a diverse background, including activists and professionals, who have no ambitions within the party and could be swayed by issues such as integrity. – August 8, 2018.