Rafizi vs Nurul Izzah an unnecessary battle, says former deputy sec-gen

A former PKR deputy secretary – general has described the battle between the incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and his challenger Nurul Izzah Anwar for the PKR deputy president post as unnecessary.

It is also unproductive for the party, and it risks drawing a deep wedge in the reform – minded party, said S. Raveentharan.

“There are times a contest is needed and there are times, there shouldn’t be one if it can consolidate the party and make it stronger.”

No matter who wins or loses in the coming party elections, PKR will ultimately be the one which loses all in the eyes of the public, he said.

‘Focus on the bigger agenda’

In a frank observation, the former Batu Uban assemblyman said that the party and its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the prime minister, should be focusing on a bigger agenda rather than party contests.

“It shows a sense of disconnection that the present leaders have with what is happening on the ground.”

He said that Anwar should step in dissuade his own daughter Nurul Izzah from contesting.

The entire government and political machinery must now focus on the geo – politics, especially with the threat of the US tariffs still lurking in the background.

There is a need to find a way to generate growth which is both sustainable with spillover fortunes to be shared by all, including the B40, who now continue to suffer, namely because the wages are inadequate, he said.

Then, there is a growing conflicts in the world to mitigate; from the Russia – Ukraine conflict, which has causes farming produce prices to escalate to the Israel – Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and now the renewed tension between India and her neighbour – Pakistan, said Raveentharan.

On the domestic front, both Anwar and Rafizi’s expertise are needed to curtail the rising living costs and the brain drain, as well as the rise of extremism, he added.

“The last thing the people want is more politics. What is happening when our nurses and doctors are leaving for better pay elsewhere.”