YOURSAY | ‘The time has come to consolidate PKR and move forward.’
Unofficial: Rafizi wins PKR deputy, allies take three of four veeps
Nik Nazmi: Anwar-Rafizi best ‘ticket’ for PKR to take on GE15
Gerard Lourdesamy: Well done former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli for winning the PKR deputy presidency. I was rooting for you. The time has come to consolidate the party and move forward in the right direction.
Enough of the big tent, small tent and no tent talks with other parties. PKR should stick to Pakatan Harapan with DAP and Amanah, and consider working with Muda and PSM. Forget all the rest.
Even if Harapan loses the 15th general election, try to remain as an effective opposition in Parliament. Set a target to win in at least five states, including Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
Come out with a simple manifesto and admit past mistakes during the 22 months in government.
There’s no need to cut deals with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, Najib Abdul Razak or Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Stick to principles, credibility and integrity.
Party president Anwar Ibrahim should also forget about becoming prime minister. PKR is bigger than Anwar, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Return to the origins of Reformasi and its values. Serve the rakyat, especially the B40 (bottom 40 percent) and M40 (middle 40 percent). Enough of power plays and political games.
GanMU: Yes, it was indeed good news. After various negative news that we have been reading, this is certainly a breath of fresh air, giving us hope for a better Malaysia.
In choosing Rafizi as their deputy president, PKR members have shown their maturity and their desire for change.
The writings on the wall are very clear - the need for young (Rafizi is only 44 years old) and qualified (he is a chartered accountant) people to lead Harapan, win elections and regain its right to form the next government.
With his honesty, dedication and charisma, we are confident Rafizi can make this hope a reality. We salute and congratulate Rafizi and PKR for this incredible feat.
Mano: I see a glimmer of hope. The future looked so gloom and forlorn before this. I hope the political tempo will increase and we shall revive the spirit and enthusiasm we had pre-GE14.
Losing deputy president candidate Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is generally a great person. I hope he would be embraced back into the fold. The only thing that put us off was Saifuddin wanting to collaborate with the very traitors who were behind the betrayal of Harapan.
I hope Saifuddin and Co will learn a lesson from this and not underestimate the anger and hurt that these traitors caused the voters with their Sheraton Move. The memory of the betrayal is forever etched in our minds and we will never compromise our stand and allow a repeat of such betrayals, ever.
MarioT: What is important now is to do damage control and unite and strengthen the party in preparation for the upcoming general election.
The party has been quite disappointing lately with unilateral decisions seen to be made in Selangor.
Restore public confidence in the party that showed so much promise in the past.
You are not just a party but a beacon of hope for those who want a truly Malaysian representation in the government.
MS: Indeed, hopefully, PKR will now see a revival with Rafizi introducing the reforms the party definitely needs.
And hopefully, too, Anwar reads the bold writing on the wall, steps aside in the policy space and allows his deputy to grow and shape the leadership and direction of the party.
But since the Anwar I know is resistant to any change which affects him personally and is likely to lean towards his good friends, Zahid and Najib, in his increasingly desperate quest for the top prize, I am wary.
A subtle war of attrition against Rafizi may commence as is common in Malay politics, and that is a war Anwar may lead from the back. He has the means and the motive to do so.
So, I will not break out the rose syrup to toast a great victory just yet. As I’ve always said, things are seldom what they seem in Malay politics.
Ferdtan: Like most Malaysians, we almost gave up hope on PKR to lead the fight in the coming GE15. However, Rafizi's win, and just as important, three of his allies winning the vice-president’s posts gave us much-needed glimmer of hope - that Harapan can take on BN.
It is important to have the vice-presidents on the side of Rafizi to ensure there are no obstructions and/or sabotages within to any new ideas the new deputy president may bring forth.
Rafizi's party rival Saifuddin is indeed a hard-working man as the party’s secretary-general. He should be co-opted for some other party’s post.
Don't forget Nurul Izzah who did not contest any party post - persuade her to be included in the party’s decision-making body.
Finally, we got our last laugh - party veteran Tian Chua lost to former protégé-turned-rival P Prabakaran in Batu, Kuala Lumpur. This shows that party members have still not forgiven Chua for his 'perceived continued' support for former deputy leader Azmin Ali - despite Azmin's open betrayal of the party.
It is good also that Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak lost in the Gombak division to Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari. He is seen as a divisive party member, and this is not good for the stability of the party.
Undecided: The only question that remains is whether PKR can unite after the polls. It is not going to be easy with the Selangor MB winning one of the VP posts and aligned with Saifuddin.
I believe Rafizi is mindful of this eventuality when he decided to return to PKR and hence the deputy president's post. He needs Anwar's help to unite the party.
Max Fury: The ball is now in Anwar’s court. How he wants to play it is up to him. If he is smart, he will work with Rafizi’s team and change the direction of PKR to make it more palatable to young people and to general voters.
PKR has been in the doldrums for the past three years. With Rafizi and the new team, we want to see a rejuvenated PKR, and Anwar must not stand in the way. Even better, if he stays in the background.
Headhunter: Henceforth, all eyes will be on Rafizi. People place a lot of hope in him and expect him to deliver. I hope he won't disappoint. I believe he's the right man to steer the party back to its former glory.
Anwar would be wise to work with him and not treat him as a threat to his own position. If Rafizi fails to deliver, Anwar’s own position will also be on shaky ground.
It’s time to sober up, set personal feelings aside and choose the best men and women for the job, failing which we will see the end of PKR.
