PKR Wanita chief hopeful Haniza Talha has rebuffed an offer to debate with contender Fuziah Salleh for the party’s upcoming polls, saying it was unnecessary as both of them come from the same party.

“Debates are only when you are facing the opposition. But we are a family. We share the same vision, so what is there to debate,” the Selangor exco for housing and urban living said in an interview.

“(Having a debate) is only for the intention of embarrassing the other party. I think this needs to stop,” the Lembah Jaya assemblyman said.

The offer to debate by Fuziah, a deputy minister and aligned to deputy president hopeful Rafizi Ramli, is an extension of the duel between him and incumbent deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Rafizi is taking on Azmin for the post with claims that he (Rafizi) was more pro-reform than the economic affairs minister and that he would ensure PKR president Anwar Ibrahim become prime minister.

Following Rafizi’s cue, those who support him have also slammed Azmin, alleging that his leadership would perpetuate a feudal culture in the party and that he was part of a plot to prevent Anwar from becoming prime minister.

Azmin has also rejected an offer to debate Rafizi.

Fuziah, who is currently PKR vice-president, had challenged Wanita deputy chief Haniza to a debate so that PKR’s 800,000 who will be voting in polls next month can evaluate who was the better candidate to lead the women’s wing.

Haniza said rather than a debate, she preferred to meet the party’s members and grassroots and engage them personally.

“I have no problems as I always meet the women members around the country and I share with them the vision I have for Wanita. So there is no need for me to debate when I am always in touch with the women. – August 20, 2018.