Rafizi issues 'cai' ahead of PKR polls, urges delegates to uphold reformist ideals

Summary

• Rafizi says has received messages from PKR grassroots members seeking a leadership lineup that upholds spirit of reform.

• Incumbent PKR deputy president says party’s future can only be secured by leaders who are tested and remain committed to its principles.

With less than 48 hours to go before polling for PKR’s central leadership election, deputy president Rafizi Ramli has unveiled an official “cai” or voting guide for eligible delegates, listing his preferred candidates across key positions in the party.

The guide includes candidates aligned with Rafizi’s reformist platform, contesting for positions including vice-president, Youth and Women’s wing posts, and Central Leadership Council seats – directly challenging the faction led by his opponent, vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“Over the past few weeks, I have received various views and messages from grassroots members calling for a leadership lineup that firmly upholds the spirit of reform - loyal and not merely chasing positions,” Rafizi said in a Facebook post.

“Our challenge today is to elect leaders who can continue to uphold the ideals of reform, even when tested by power,” he added.

Rafizi said PKR is facing competition from various groups but stressed that the party’s future can only be secured by leaders who have been tested and remain committed to its principles.

“Hiruk – Revive the Reformist Idealism in the Face of Power – is not just a slogan. It is a call to restore the soul of PKR’s struggle, so that we continue to stand on our own strength,” he said.

Voice of grassroots

Among the 11 candidates vying for the party’s four vice-president slots, Rafizi listed four as part of his team: G Manivannan, political secretary to the PKR president; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang; Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

At the Central Leadership Council level, Rafizi endorsed 25 names out of 88 contenders for the 20 elected posts. His list includes Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasir, alongside seven MPs and at least three state assemblypersons.

For the Women’s wing, the guide names Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail - who also serves as PKR deputy election director - as Rafizi’s preferred candidate, positioning her against incumbent Fadhlina Sidek.

In the Youth wing, incumbent Youth exco member Arshad Hassni is Rafizi’s pick for deputy chief. The current deputy chief, Kamil Abdul Munim, is running unopposed for the top post.

“I return the decision to the delegates from across the country. As delegates of your respective branches, you carry the voice of the grassroots.

“This is a great responsibility - to ensure the party remains on the path of reform and does not stray from its original struggle,” said Rafizi, who wrapped up his nationwide Jelajah Hiruk campaign in Johor Bahru last night.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim on Monday sought to downplay tensions within the party’s internal polls.

READ MORE: Rafizi snipes at Anwar's special power allowing Ramanan's rapid rise

He said he believed all party leaders would reconcile once the contest concludes.

“If there were two spots for deputy president, I would support both candidates to be co-deputy president,” Anwar quipped, adding that he would extend the same support to all 11 vice-president hopefuls.

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