Debate with Nurul Izzah? Let's do it - Rafizi

Summary

• Rafizi is willing to hold a public debate with his opponent in the PKR deputy president contest, Nurul Izzah, to help lower temperatures within the party.

• The incumbent deputy president says a debate will allow both candidates to attract interest within and outside PKR, while boosting efforts to retain Anwar as PM for another term.

Rafizi Ramli has expressed willingness to engage in a public debate with Nurul Izzah Anwar to defuse tensions in the increasingly heated race for PKR’s deputy presidency.

Speaking at his campaign event in Pahang last night, the incumbent Rafizi suggested that a formal debate moderated by an independent organiser could help lower temperatures between the two competing factions within the party, where grassroots supporters have become increasingly confrontational despite relative harmony among the leadership.

Rafizi made the offer yesterday after PKR Youth vice-chief Prasanth Kumar Brakasam urged him and his opponent for the party deputy presidency, Nurul Izzah, to have a debate.

Prasanth yesterday said that this will allow both leaders to engage supporters on their plans to strengthen the party, Pakatan Harapan, and the coalition government.

Rafizi said that he had previously debated high-profile opponents, including former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and senior PAS parliamentarians, expressing confidence that a debate with Nurul Izzah would allow both candidates to present their visions clearly to party members.

“We are a reformist party, we bring a new political culture. Therefore, the way forward is - let’s debate!

“So if I’ve debated with these difficult opponents, I reckon, God willing, I can debate with Nurul Izzah, organised by an independent organiser, so that we can lower the temperature. Because in our party we have many people who are more eager than sensible (lebih sudu dari kuah). The leadership is fine, but those below are fighting every day.

“So, to reduce the daily fighting, let’s debate, I’ll present my views and so forth, Nurul Izzah can present hers, and finally, the party members as a whole and the public at large can make the right decision,” he said during the ceramah.

Rafizi added that if the event proceeds smoothly and in a positive atmosphere, the party’s selection process could help attract public and voter interest, while also boosting efforts to retain Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister for the next term.

The ceramah in Pahang is part of Rafizi’s nationwide campaign tour called “Jelajah Hiruk”.

The PKR central leadership election is on May 23.

Yes or no? Nurul Izzah responds

When asked about the idea of a debate with Rafizi, Nurul Izzah appeared to sidestep the question.

“I already answered just now. We want to ease tensions because, for us, the priority is to engage with the delegates. Especially since we want to move forward.

“Like in my case, I have programmes with women, such as ‘Wanita Mendunia’. I have programmes with the youth. So I’d prefer if we didn’t focus solely on politics.

“It’s not about politicking per se; it’s about meaningful engagement with all our divisions,” the party vice-president said when met by journalists after her campaign programme in Shah Alam last night.

The event saw several party leaders - Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin - declaring support for Nurul Izzah.

At the event, Nurul Izzah also spoke of the need for the party to look beyond its internal polls and prepare for the next general election.

She said she had also received feedback from party grassroots that its leaders should gather more feedback and brainstorm to prepare for negotiations ahead of the election.

Once hailed as “Puteri Reformasi” at the height of her father Anwar’s reformasi movement, Nurul Izzah slipped from the public spotlight after losing the Permatang Pauh seat in the last general election.

She submitted her nomination for the PKR number two post on May 9, following overwhelming endorsements from various levels of the party for her to contest.

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