PKR newcomer says Rafizi 'holier than thou' just like Dr M

Summary

• A Bersatu-turned-PKR man aims Rafizi Ramli for effecting a 'holier than thou' attitude in his campaign for the PKR deputy presidency.

• Faiz Na'aman says such an approach is similar to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's tendency to lash out at his own party when his political ambitions are at stake.

A PKR newcomer has slammed Rafizi Ramli for seemingly adopting a “holier than thou” attitude reminiscent of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Claiming that the incumbent PKR deputy president’s recent remarks are divisive in nature, Faiz Na'aman, who joined PKR last year, said Rafizi’s behaviour mirrors Mahathir’s tendency to undermine his own party when personal ambitions are thwarted.

“Rafizi seems to be following the familiar Malay political playbook - just like what Mahathir did to Umno when his political ambitions fell short.

“There’s this sense of intellectual superiority, a belief that he’s got the best formula, the most integrity, and the greatest contribution to politics,” Faiz, a former Bersatu supreme council member, said in a Facebook post today.

Taking issue with Rafizi’s view that PKR has been infiltrated by a wave of newcomers who are motivated by the potential to gain power and positions instead of the party’s reformist agenda, Faiz accused the Pandan MP of jumping to negative conclusions on purpose.

Faiz highlighted that most political parties consist of members attempting to rise up the ranks, adding that the lack of such endeavours would result in no new personalities within the party.

“Anyone outside his (Rafizi’s) circle - those who aren’t his supporters or part of his team within PKR - are automatically dismissed as incompetent, insincere in their struggle, and obsessed with positions. Unlike his faction, of course,” Faiz said.

“Should all the old faces stay unchallenged, and new ones stay out of contests? Is that what PKR was meant to be? Didn’t Rafizi himself rise through the ranks by challenging the established figures in PKR?

“This is the ‘holier-than-thou’ mindset I’ve seen firsthand when I dealt with Mahathir in Bersatu’s supreme council. (Mahathir) was always claiming to be right - due to his age, past service, or self-professed intellect - while openly attacking those not in his camp,” he added.

‘Still in opposition mode’

He also had a bone to pick with Rafizi’s apparent decision to go on the offensive - even if it causes internal division within PKR - while “playing the perpetual victim in politics” and writing off those who show deference to party leaders as sycophants.

“Frankly, it reeks of narcissism. Perhaps to him (Rafizi), being rude to your boss and rebelling against the system is the only true form of political struggle.

“The opposition mentality clearly hasn’t left, even after becoming part of the government and being given a ministerial post,” he added.

Responding to Rafizi’s claim that PKR was behind PAS in voter confidence on anti-graft efforts, Faiz said Rafizi should consider joining PAS if the economy minister genuinely believes that the opposition party is “free from corruption”.

The incumbent PKR deputy president’s claim was based on data he presented at a ceramah in Seremban last night, which showed that voters aged 18 to 44 believed that PAS was better at combating graft than PKR.

During the ceramah, he also revealed a slew of data indicating insufficient levels of Malay support for Pakatan Harapan, while support among Chinese and Indian voters is crashing dramatically.

While acknowledging how some will criticise him for revealing such data publicly, Rafizi said the move is necessary, pointing to how previous parties in power had been dethroned as all their problems were “hidden away”.

Rafizi is defending his PKR deputy presidency in a straight fight against Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is currently an appointed vice-president. Voting in the PKR election is on May 23.

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