YESTERDAY (July 16), both PKR president and his deputy appeared to have made snide remarks against each other during the party’s annual congress.
It started off when the firebrand PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli called on party members to stop apple-polishing the president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and be bold in telling leaders the hard truth.
“If I were Anwar Ibrahim, I think we have to accept a factual finding. Because if we don’t do anything, it will be translated into election results. The factual finding is that he is losing popularity.
“What is important for the party and the new leadership is not really to try to physically ‘bodek’ Anwar or defend Anwar. Anwar Ibrahim is Anwar Ibrahim, he doesn’t need to be defended,” Malaysiakini reported the former Pandan MP as saying.
In a retort, Anwar reminded his protégé to use proper channel to air his grievances, given Rafizi is now a top-ranking party leader.
“He knows his focus, his role. He is no longer Rafizi di pinggiran (on the sideline). The person you were talking about just now is Rafizi di pinggiran. (But) today’s Rafizi is in party top leadership.
“So, he must accept this fact, because I will be delegating many important duties to him. He will be responsible (for the party) directly,” the Opposition Leader was reported as saying.
Reacting to the duo’s statements, several netizens shared their views on the matter and urged Anwar to heed Rafizi’s reminders.
Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who once served as PKR supreme council member said:
User Mark added:
Netizen Sharan Pretam Singh noted:
It is to note that Rafizi has been vocal against the “big tent” approach mooted by several Pakatan Harapan leaders including Anwar, warning them that the idea is not well-received by the grassroots, especially when it comes to cooperating with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
On July 7, a survey conducted by Invoke Malaysia found that PKR members are in favour of seeing Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, replacing the president when the time arises.
She was also found more popular among the grassroots as opposed to her father; standing at 49% as opposed to the Anwar’s 28%.
It is to note that Invoke Malaysia is a company belonging to Rafizi.
Rafizi vs establishment
On that note, user Free Malaysian opined that Rafizi is facing an uphill battle in educating opposition supporters to see the bigger picture, given that some Pakatan leaders are still longing to get back to power at all cost.
Netizen Zakwan remarked: “Well duh. PKR needs to swallow the bitter pill that the Anwar brand is losing steam. Rafizi happens to have the balls to say it out loud.” – July 17, 2022
