Batu MP P. Prabakaran says competition for party posts is healthy.
Speaking ahead of Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) National Congress in Johor Bahru from May 22–24, Prabakaran likened the contest for the deputy president’s post between Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar to “sibling rivalry”.
Incumbent Rafizi, also Economy Minister, faces a challenge from vice-president Nurul Izzah, daughter of party president and prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PKR’s National Congress is over three days, and voting for the central leadership is on May 23.
Rafizi and Nurul Izzah have been close comrades, and Prabakaran is confident that their battle for the No. 2 post won’t create a split in the party.
“Rivalry? No, it’s just a cordial contest between two candidates who are like brothers and sisters,” said Prabakaran when met over the weekend.
“As grassroots leaders, we see it as a healthy competition between two senior leaders. Of course, we all have our individual thoughts on the matter, but let’s see how it goes.
“I don’t want to go into much detail about the pros and cons of each of them. They have both contributed to the party. It’s healthy competition.”
Prabakaran added such “healthy competition” shows that the party is democratic, and won’t stop anyone from contesting.
“As long as the competition is fair and no candidates utter words disparaging their opponents, everything will be good.”
Prabakaran won the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in Malaysia’s 2018 General Election. He later joined PKR, and became the party’s Batu Branch leader after defeating Tian Chua in 2022.
He, however, lost the seat to Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi last month.
Despite his loss, Prabakaran is still committed to PKR, and is looking forward to the party elections.
When asked his thoughts about Rafizi’s recent comments that the party was in danger of losing support from the Chinese community, and the thoughts of several political analysts who claimed Indians are also losing patience with PKR, Prabakaran declined to weigh in.
“I don’t want to comment on that,” he said.
Rafizi is known as a reformist and policy strategist, played a key role in PKR’s efforts during the last general election. He has been deputy president since 2022, and was vice-president from 2014–2019.
Nurul Izzah is known for her advocacy on institutional reform and human rights. She previously served as an MP for Lembah Pantai and Permatang Pauh. She was PKR vice-president from 2010–2018 and appointed to the post in 2022.
Rafizi had suggested a debate with Nurul Izzah, but she declined, wanting to “focus on the delegates.”
Besides the battle for the No. 2 post, there are 249 candidates for the various other posts – 102 for the central leadership council, 85 for the Youth and 62 for the Women’s wings.
