Rafizi orchestrated PD move for own benefit, say sources

Nabihah Hamid Nabihah Hamid Updated 7 years ago · Published on 17 Sep 2018 11:00AM · 9 Comments

A PKR grassroots leader says the Port Dickson move is a way for vice-president Rafizi Ramli to gain support from Negri Sembilan youth in the run-up to the party polls. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 17, 2018.

THE Port Dickson move was timed as such to give Rafizi Ramli an advantage in the PKR elections, said party sources.

One leader said the vice-president, who is challenging incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali for the deputy presidency, wanted to show voters his close links with Anwar Ibrahim by mooting the move, which paves the way for the president-elect’s return to Parliament.

“We see him (Rafizi) as wanting to use this for the PKR elections… he wants to show that he is very close with Anwar (so that he can win the deputy presidency).

“If not, why was it done in such a hurry? He (Rafizi) also said returning Anwar to Parliament is part of his campaign,” the source told The Malaysian Insight.

On September 12, first-time MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, of PKR, vacated the Port Dickson seat to make way for Anwar.

Present at the press conference to announce the decision were Rafizi and PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Following the announcement, several PKR leaders said they were surprised as the matter had not been discussed among the party leadership.

A PKR grassroots leader said the Port Dickson move was also a way for Rafizi to make inroads in the state party chapter, especially among the youth.

He said youth from seven divisions in Negri Sembilan are aligned with Azmin, while Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun is a Rafizi supporter.

A PKR member says it is difficult to envision president-elect Anwar Ibrahim winning big in Port Dickson compared with party stronghold Permatang Pauh. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 17, 2018.

“We know that this is not Anwar’s move, to have the by-election so quickly. But, it was done by the candidate for the deputy president’s post (Rafizi), to hold the by-election as soon as possible.

“He is using this issue on the basis of supposedly helping Anwar become prime minister, but he actually wants support from the seven divisions in Negri Sembilan.

“I think it is ineffective because members are mature enough to evaluate the credibility of Azmin’s achievements as Selangor menteri besar.”

Another party member said it is difficult to envision Anwar winning big in Port Dickson compared with Permatang Pauh, a PKR stronghold.

“There are many more secure seats, like Permatang Pauh in Penang.

“Rafizi’s campaign is saying Azmin is blocking Anwar from becoming prime minister, but he should not play this risky game with Anwar.”

Rafizi and his camp have been using the slogan “20 Years of Reformasi” in the campaign for the party polls, to be held later this month into next month.

The essence of the campaign is to help realise the transition of power from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar. – September 17, 2018.

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Comments

  • We trust politicians who sincerely care and work for the people. Those who are selfish and working for personal agenda, think they are very smart and able to hoodwink the people will not be able to stay on for long. Corruption and money cannot buy votes in New Malaysia

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Rafizi was once so adorable but what has become of him now?

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • He has gone Demonically Berserk! Craving of Power though he pretend to deny so by saying he didn't want any position. If he really cares less about position, stop playing internal politics and be more Meritocratic and let Azmin, who has proven so successfully in governing Selangor, continue to be Deputy President of PKR! Being Stubborn and Can't take

      Posted 7 years ago by SimonO Saint · Reply

    • He has gone Demonically Berserk! Craving of Power though he pretend to deny so by saying he didn't want any position. If he really cares less about position, stop playing internal politics and be more Meritocratic and let Azmin, who has proven so successfully in governing Selangor, continue to be Deputy President of PKR! Being Stubborn and Can't take

      Posted 7 years ago by SimonO Saint · Reply

    • take or indifferent to Criticism as the way he put it in Star Interview already shows that he is not fit to be politician. Politician should listen to the Rakyat and welcome any criticism to improve himself! This he doesn't understand, how can he be good leader!

      Posted 7 years ago by SimonO Saint · Reply

  • He is disgusting. Lost credibility

    Posted 7 years ago by Ratnavathy Navaratnam · Reply

  • Can admin or anyone advise how to delete or amend comments posted?

    Posted 7 years ago by SimonO Saint · Reply

  • We need all hands on deck to help build & take new Malaysia Baru forward to try and win GE15 due by 2023 to consolidate and improve on progress now being made. Rafizi can learn and hone his skills & contributions in some other capacity, even if he does not make it to being Deputy PKR President. Anwar must ensure Rafizi is not ostracized or remains outside in the cold. This is the correct approach?..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • I don't agree with this very common perception of RR. How easily we forget a person's contributions and sacrifice to bring down the previous government. Without RR's invoke (and of course TDM), we would be having the same BN government now. I think RR is doing the right thing, considering the danger lurking behind the scene where there are people working towards foiling the pre-election agreement of TDM being PM and thereafter, when he choose to step down, DSAI will be PM.
    I think we should give DSAI a chance to be the PM as agreed to by PH parties and promised to the rakyat before GE14. We should honour our promise to the rakyat, be it GST, TDM and DSAI becoming PM and so on, as far as possible. TDM has a questionable past too, but Malaysians look beyond that and have supported him splendidly so far. That is the proper way to go, we need to give him space and trust to achieve what he must for the nation. In the same way, even though DSAI also had a questionable past, can we also support him and give him a chance like we are doing for TDM? I think a person should not be held permanently by his past statements and actions because I do believe people can change. I would like for everyone to be honourable and keep their promises of making DSAI a PM when TDM chose to step down. Of course, DSAI should not be impatient to be the PM. But he has to position himself for any eventualities especially with some other ambitious people positioning themselves to foil the pre-election agreement on who is to be PM.
    RR is only doing what need to be done to ensure that the succession plan is in place. The dire situation demands that urgent and immediate action is taken. We cannot wait until its too late and suddenly UMNO is back in power again.
    PKR need some house cleaning before it can truly be on track to reform the country. Some casualties are inevitable, but thats the price to pay for reforms.
    I support what RR is doing and I trust this guy's integrity, honesty and his ideals for a new Malaysia.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply