Disruptors want 'civil war', PKR leader says over those backing Saifuddin

Summary

• Sabah PKR Youth communications director Fekirie Gobet slams Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman for asking party deputy president Rafizi Ramli to make way for Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for the post.

• He says the Titiwangsa PKR division chief should respect Anwar Ibrahim’s calls for Rafizi to be retained as party deputy president.

A Sabah PKR leader rebuked Titiwangsa PKR division chief Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman for asking party deputy president Rafizi Ramli to make way for Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for the post.

“PKR president Anwar Ibrahim himself had called for Rafizi to be given an easy path to defend his post.

“It means he doesn’t want Saifuddin to contest the post, but this is not welcomed by disruptors who want to turn the party polls into a ‘civil war’,” Sabah PKR Youth communications director Fekirie Gobet said in a statement today.

Earlier today, Badli said Rafizi (above, right) should make way for Saifuddin (above, left) to protect the party’s image.

“As a senior leader who has been with PKR since its ups and downs, I think it’s time he is given the post to help (party president) Anwar.

“And I’m confident that a compromise between both great leaders will boost public support for the party and stabilise PKR’s internal politics,” he added.

It should be noted that apart from Badli, several others have also come forward to back Saifuddin for the party deputy presidency, who are Semporna PKR Women’s wing deputy chief Melati Hasaman and vice-chief Rosalina Mustafa.

Insolent

Fekirie referred to Badli as insolent for trying to undermine Anwar’s calls for a smooth party election process.

As for Rafizi’s long leave, he pointed out that while the former is an active minister, the Pandan MP also suffers from several health issues.

“But individuals like Badli deliberately turn it into an issue and link it to the discontent over the party divisional election results,” he said, adding that Rafizi had also resumed work today.

Fekirie then warned against any individuals who were spreading rumours to discredit PKR.

“Let’s keep the party election orderly, with no one like our Titiwangsa PKR division chief pouring fuel into the fire,” he added.

In an update, several PKR division leaders, including Anwar’s senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Amin, have now voiced support for party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar to challenge Rafizi for the post.

However, the former Permatang Pauh MP has yet to express interest and has only announced her intention to defend her current post.

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