PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is putting in a bid for the deputy president’s post in PKR, has reminded members ahead of party election to keep the contest “friendly and healthy”.
The PKR secretary-general said although he is embroiled in a competitive fight with Rafizi Ramli for the number two post, the rivalry must not result in party disunity.
“I want to stress that this is a friendly family contest. It cannot result in the collapse of friendship and the destruction of comradeship.
“I draw a line here. Regardless of who wins the contest, I will honour Rafizi as a comrade, who has plenty of qualities,” he told a press conference at a party election campaign event here yesterday.
Saifuddin, who is Kulim Bandar Baharu MP, said PKR is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2018 election fiasco, which resulted in a split of two camps.
The intense internal fighting back then ultimately resulted in the Sheraton Move in 2020, where allies of then deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali defected and caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
“I am confident that we would not see a repeat of the past episode. It is this spirit which makes this election different,” said Saifuddin.
At the event, he unveiled his running mates who are contesting for several top posts in the election.
Among his allies who are vying for the four vice-president posts are Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai and Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
The contest for the vice-presidency will see a fight involving 17 candidates.
Also unveiled as part of Saifuddin’s team is Adam Adli, who is gunning for the youth chief post and Fadhlina Sidek, who is contesting the women chief’s post.
Saifuddin said his team comprises a diverse group of candidates, who include both veterans and new faces.
“We have veteran leaders like Tian Chua and R. Sivarasa, who are our core founding members.
“We also have new faces like Adam and Fadhlina. This is in line with our team which is #KamiSemuaKeadilan (We are all Keadilan),” he said.
Those in Rafizi’s camp include Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Voting for the PKR election will be conducted between May 13 and 20, which includes online and in-person voting.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the party president’s post uncontested.