GEORGE TOWN: The Opposition’s attempt to instigate internal issues to destabilise PKR underestimates the party’s long-standing unity, said PKR’s deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
“I am a bit surprised that the Opposition thinks that such attempts can destabilise us.
“PKR is open and robust to differences and clashes of ideas.
“What happened in the party elections has gone through due process.
“In fact, it was not Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who lodged a report, it was people affiliated with Farhash (former PKR leader Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak).
“A report was lodged, and we followed the proper procedure.
“Although it is being blown out of proportion, it does not affect us and is a non-issue to me,” he claimed during a press conference after the half-term engagement session of the 12th Malaysia Plan held at Olive Tree Hotel in Bayan Lepas on Saturday (July 22).
Rafizi, who is also the Economy Minister, was responding to a question about an Opposition leader claiming there were internal issues with attempts to invalidate Rafizi’s election results in the party polls.
Former home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin recently alleged that Saifuddin had tried to nullify the results of the 2022 PKR elections after losing his bid to become deputy president.
In May last year, Rafizi defeated Saifuddin with a majority to secure the number two post.
Rafizi said both he and Saifuddin are in the government and have known each other for a long time.
Rafizi emphasized that opponents underestimate the long-standing leadership of PKR.
“The difference is, unlike their parties, we can disagree with each other.
“I do not necessarily agree with Saifuddin, and sometimes I do not even agree with the Prime Minister.
“That does not change anything, and I think that is our strength.
“It is a good attempt by them (Opposition), but it will not make any difference in the dynamics of the elections.
“The voters can see that PKR elections have always been intense and know that we campaign openly.
“Every time we have party elections, people have said our party will self-implode, but every single time, it gets stronger, and we bring everyone together,” he said.
Regarding a separate matter, Rafizi said it is former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s right to urge people to defend the country from being ruled by a failed government ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Rafizi defended the right of anyone to express their views during campaigning.
He believes that leaders should present their ideas to the people, but ultimately the people will vote based on their previous experiences.
“Dr Mahathir’s presence at the Perikatan Nasional rally in Kelantan recently was a gathering of an ’emotional gang’ who oppose Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Dr Mahathir has had previous involvement with PAS and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
“When he speaks on their stage, it will have a different effect on different people.
“There may be voters who like what he says, and there may be those who question his principles and past positions.
“I think it is best for us to leave it to the people to decide in the state elections.
“The state elections are the best platform for us to compare policies and programs aimed at resolving the country and people’s issues.
“It is not productive if it is used as a platform to play on emotions.
“I am confident that the people can judge for themselves,” he said.
Rafizi stated that the Federal Government has important work to do and cannot resolve problems by relying on emotions alone.
“We have good policies focused on delivering for the people, and they will judge us based on our work,” he concluded.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
