RAFIZI Ramli today told Sarawak PKR that he will make a better deputy president than incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The vice-president said should he win the deputy presidency contest, he would devise a strategy to increase the number of seats held by PKR in the Sarawak assembly from the current three to 18, so that the party could form the next state government.

He said the party was the best-positioned to champion the state’s rights at the federal level, especially with Anwar Ibrahim poised to take over as prime minister.

Anwar won the PKR presidency uncontested after the filing of nominations last month.

“The deputy presidency contest is not about who is against who, nor is it about age or who has a position already. It is a matter of strategy, an opportunity to win, and a chance to reorganise the party to prepare for the next two years,” said Rafizi at the 20 Years of Reformasi debate programme in Kuching.

“If the prime minister is our president, it would be an advantage for Sarawak PKR. The state’s voice will be heard, and we can subdue the other parties that have made all sorts of promises to Sarawakians (without delivering on them).

“The future of Sarawak will be brighter when Anwar becomes the eighth prime minister – on the condition that PKR wins big in the state.”

He said he would ensure Sarawakians’ voice was heard, and the state’s rights respected.

He said he would train central PKR leaders to speak up on Sarawak issues at all times, not just during elections.

“I want my friends in Sarawak to know – and there are many witnesses here today, as well as those in the peninsula – that it is time to act, to ensure Sarawak PKR’s autonomy is respected, that it is not mere lip service.

“That being said, when we return to the peninsula, to Kuala Lumpur, we must take on this role. The deputy president must educate our friends in the peninsula that this is the hope, that our friends in Sarawak must be respected.” – Bernama, September 2, 2018.