KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli continues to command considerable support within the party, despite strong backing for PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar to challenge him for the deputy president post in the upcoming central leadership election, said PKR MP R. Yuneswaran.
The Segamat MP also pointed out that both Rafizi and Nurul Izzah enjoy substantial endorsement from party members.
“Both are also prominent leaders within the party and also in the public,” Yuneswaran told Scoop when contacted.
He made the remarks when asked if Rafizi still held firm support despite the widespread calls for Nurul Izzah to contest for PKR’s second-in-command position.
The PKR central leadership elections, scheduled for May 22 to 24, are anticipated to be fiercely contested, not only between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah for the deputy president role but also for the four vice-president seats.
Currently, 12 candidates are vying for the vice-president posts, including Yuneswaran himself.
Among those defending their positions are Selangor Menteri Besar and state PKR chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar and state PKR chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Other contenders include Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, party deputy secretary-general Dr N. Sathia Prakash, Dewan Negara senator Abun Sui Anyit, former Selangor exco member Hee Loy Sian, former vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, and G. Manivanan, the political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Despite the expected intense competition, Yuneswaran is confident the party will remain united after the polls. “Definitely, things will be back to normal after the election,” he said.
Rafizi sparked debate recently when he urged PKR delegates to vote for Nurul Izzah during a campaign event in Kedah, reportedly stating it would be damaging to Anwar if his daughter lost.
“There’s no other outcome that makes sense except for Nurul Izzah to win.
“Let’s say Nurul Izzah loses, what signal would it send to the people?…it will send a message that PKR members reject Anwar. That is why Nurul Izzah must win,” he was reported as saying.
When questioned if Rafizi should have withdrawn instead of endorsing his rival, Yuneswaran replied, “we have to see the context he (Rafizi) mentioned,” adding that the focus should remain on the visions and strategies both leaders present for strengthening PKR and broadening support for the party and the Madani government.
Yuneswaran also encouraged the party’s “silent voters” to cast their ballots according to their genuine preferences.
“This is not just a competition for deputy (presidency of PKR) but more to leadership, capability and ability to gain internal and external people’s confidence and trust (for PKR),” he added. — May 19, 2025