PKR’s new leadership, with Rafizi Ramli as secretary-general, has the huge responsibility to steer the party forward, and this includes improving  party poll system, amend ties with PAS and gain the Malay ground. 
 
The party’s national youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said Rafizi, who is also PKR vice president, must look into the the party’s flawed and controversy-laden poll system.

PKR is only 15 years old but has experienced two dramatic party elections.

 
"Rafizi must play a bigger role on how to focus on strengthening resources and membership in the party. One of the biggest issues we face in the party’s internal election, is membership.
 
"He must have a good team to help him out. We must continue to be the most democratic party in the country, with direct election of leaders but the system can be improved and improvised.
 
"We will be facing another election closer to the 14th general elections (which is expected in 2018), so it is no harm talking about it now," stressed the state PKR Youth chief, also Penang’s youngest cabinet member.
 
On Monday, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced Rafizi as the new secretary-general replacing Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin will replace Rafizi as the party’s strategic director.
 
PKR’s internal party polls this year - dragged on for five months - riddled with allegations of fraud and cheating, incidents of violence, while the polls results of several branches were suspended, and 26 were forced to go through a re-election.
 
Afif also said that the new leadership must also discuss strategies on how to gain Malay ground, and how to attract young voters to vote for Pakatan Rakyat in the 14th GE.
 
Rafizi and his team must plan to mend ties with PKR’s ally PAS, and strengthen solidarity with DAP, and the party’s position in Pakatan, especially after the Selangor menteri besar crisis.
 
The crisis ended last month with the Selangor ruler appointing Azmin Ali to replace Khalid Ibrahim as MB, although Wan Azizah was the party’s preferred choice. 
 
PKR then clashed with PAS who was not keen on Wan Azizah.
 
“The new team must consolidate our struggles, with the leadership of Wan Azizah and  Azmin, who is her deputy. PKR must first show how it is going to lead itself,” Afif said.
 
On a similar note, Afif said the party will be mobilising supporters to attend Anwar’s sodomy appeal case at the Federal Court on Oct 28.
 
Anwar ( right ) has been sentenced a five years jail term for sodomy but Afif urged the Attorney-General chambers, the judges and the ruling regime to reconsider their decision to punish the Permatang Pauh MP.
 
"The world is watching Malaysia, we are talking about ISIS’ atrocities and violence in Middle East but here too the government must remember to respect the Constitution, to preserve its sanctity. 
 
"We know Anwar’s case is politically motivated and has no basis at all. So, please stop it by freeing Anwar and allow him to function as a parliamentary opposition leader for the 52 percent who voted for Pakatan in the last May 5 general elections," he quipped.

Related stories

Anwar in prison, death knell for Pakatan?

Azmin still being investigated, says MACC

Nik Abduh blasts PKR, DAP for going against PAS

Pro-Umno site accuses DAP of 'ethnic cleansing'

MP: Developer heartless to evict Kg Mutiara folk

Will Putrajaya allow referendum for Sarawak?

Hadi, respect our freedom and we'll respect yours