PKR Youth secretary Ahmad Syukri Ab Razak said Rafizi should be given the chance to serve as Anwar’s deputy as the former Pandan MP would also be able to restore people’s confidence in the party and Pakatan Harapan.
“There’s no doubt that Rafizi can shoulder this responsibility (as deputy president). His return to politics has brought optimism inside and outside PKR. It would be a loss if he isn’t given the chance to be Anwar’s deputy.
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“The combination of Anwar and Rafizi can surely restore PKR while winning over the people’s hearts, bringing a fresh narrative and continuing the struggle to make Anwar prime minister,” he told FMT.
With Rafizi and party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail expected to contend for the deputy president’s post, Syukri did not believe there would be a split in the party like in the past when Rafizi and Azmin Ali vied for the post.
He said both Rafizi and Saifuddin were good choices for the party, capable of leading PKR to another level.
“PKR leaders and members should take advantage of Rafizi’s presence and return to the political arena.
“(Rafizi) needs to be elected into a position where he can function to the maximum for PKR and PH. Our members need to look at the party’s needs at the national level,” he added.
In announcing his comeback into politics after stepping away in December 2019, Rafizi, a PKR vice-president, said he would be contesting for the deputy president’s post in the party polls in May.
While Saifuddin is also expected to vie for the post, he has yet to confirm that he will throw his hat into the ring, though he has acknowledged it will be a position of “great impact”.
Another person who has stated his desire to contest for the post is Anwar’s former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador, though he previously said he was willing to withdraw if Saifuddin was going for the position.
Azmin beat Rafizi for the deputy presidency in 2018, but was sacked by the party in the wake of the Sheraton Move and the change of government in February 2020.