“I strongly believe my dear friend Rafizi has a role to play in the party.
“I can work with Rafizi to prepare for the 15th general election as he has a good understanding of the party.”
Azmin said Rafizi had been with the party for more than 20 years and understands the party’s struggle.
Speaking after the opening of the 13th PKR Congress for Youth and Women wings here, he was also asked the reason for Rafizi’s absence at the function.
“I believe he has some duties. That is not a problem. A lot of other leaders could not make it here, too. Rafizi being absent is not a problem.”
Azmin hoped all PKR members would accept the official results that would be announced by the PKR election committee this weekend.
He said it had been a “noisy” election but all that had been part of the democratic process PKR practises, with members free to voice out their grievances.
“We practice democracy. We don’t sweep issues under the carpet. We allow members to speak up.
“Some might find it weird, maybe because they are used to Umno’s way of doing things,” he said referring to the keen contest for the No 2 post in PKR.
Rafizi, who is vice-president, had taken on Azmin, who is deputy president. However, Azmin is said to be leading in the polls.
Azmin also said he was wrongly quoted in the media that he had declared his victory. He said did not claim victory but had merely thanked his supporters for taking part in the voting process.
Azmin backs Anwar
Earlier in his speech, Azmin threw his support behind party president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, stating the party would remain strong if it is united.
“I will work together with our new president, Anwar.
“We will make PKR a strong party. PKR is a big party that needs all of its members,” he told hundreds of supporters present at the function.
“Let’s unite and stand together to move forward,” he said to thunderous applause.
Among those present were Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is PKR’s Wanita chief, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, former Batu MP Tian Chua and PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Azmin thanked the 150,000 PKR members who took part in the party polls.
“It is a tiring process because it is the longest polls in the world. It is also a marathon.
“From Sungai Petani to Johor Bahru and from Gombak to Pandan. In East Malaysia, from Tawau to Julau.”
He reminded everyone on the success the party had achieved since its formation 20 years ago and praised the party’s success in appointing a woman as deputy prime minister, a first for Malaysia.