PKR Youth candidates slam Rafizi over 'attacks' on leadership

Summary

• PKR Youth candidates criticise Rafizi Ramli for allegedly attacking its incumbent deputy chief Kamil Munim with negative claims.

• The youth wing's potential office bearers emphasise it has remained neutral and respectful in its own campaign, expressing frustrations at being dragged into central-level disputes.

• Rafizi is also accused of undermining PKR Youth's efforts and leadership, despite the wing’s commitment to openness and party unity.

PKR Youth candidates are disappointed with incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s recent remarks against the party's youth wing.

In a statement today, the hopefuls took issue with Rafizi's apparent attack on incumbent PKR Youth deputy chief Kamil Abdul Munim, who will run unopposed for the chief position in the party's upcoming election.

Accusing Rafizi of coming after Kamil (above), who is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's aide in his capacity as finance minister, with "negative claims and disparagement", the candidates also lamented that the economy minister has "belittled and underestimated" PKR Youth’s efforts.

"(Rafizi) should continue to express his intentions, vision, and mission in his candidacy (campaign) without bringing down any party, especially the PKR Youth team," the candidates said in a joint statement today.

“Throughout the campaign period, PKR Youth has never involved, condemned, or dragged down any individual in a negative tone.

"However, our disappointment at the PKR Youth level is clear when leaders and candidates at our level are dragged into the central-level campaign fray," they added.

The statement was endorsed by Selangor PKR Youth chief Izuan Kasim, who is vying for the wing's deputy chief post, as well as six other vice presidency candidates and 49 central committee aspirants.

They also asserted that while there might be "visible leanings" towards certain camps among PKR Youth candidates, such standings have not been used as a campaign tool to diminish other contenders.

‘Don’t drag us in’

Yesterday, Izuan urged party leaders against dragging the party’s youth wing into the PKR deputy presidential contest.

He was responding to criticism from Rafizi, who reportedly accused the youth leadership of lacking the energy and resolve displayed by its predecessors.

Rafizi also claimed that while PKR's political bureau had initially agreed against holding its party election this year, the decision was reversed to bring in "new talent".

He specifically named PKR deputy information chief R Ramanan, who is eyeing a vice-president post, and Kamil.

Rafizi, who is also the Pandan MP, faces a straight fight with Nurul Izzah Anwar for the PKR deputy presidency. The election for the party's central leadership will be held on May 23 in Johor.

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