Arrogant too-clever-by-half Rafizi may split PKR

Rafizi making it tough for the party, says analyst

An analyst says Rafizi Ramli’s “polarising message” could increase the chances of a split as many members supported Anwar Ibrahim.


PETALING JAYA: An analyst has viewed the PKR congress as “not a good start” for deputy president-elect Rafizi Ramli, who bared fangs at Anwar Ibrahim.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the congress was a missed opportunity for Rafizi to find a middle ground with his party boss.


“Working together does not mean Rafizi needs to shed his principles. But by saying he does not want to work (with others) and wants to go at it alone, and that his way is the right way, it will be tough for PKR.

“This could lead the party to be split into two or even three and would be an uphill battle for them in the coming election, causing troubles within Pakatan Harapan and the opposition pact in the long run,” he told FMT.


Azmi Hassan.

Rafizi had said a recent survey his firm conducted had found that Anwar’s popularity was waning, while Anwar later said he did not mind being told about his weaknesses.

Ibrahim Suffian of Merdeka Center said Rafizi’s “polarising” message was likely to divide the party, as a large chunk of PKR members were Anwar loyalists.

Ibrahim said Anwar still wielded significant power, as he gets to select election candidates and signs off on their nomination papers.

“PKR is not like Umno. If a PKR person does not become a candidate, the person is in the wilderness, they have nowhere to go,” he said.


Rafizi’s “very polarising message” would increase the chance of more factional conflict as PKR goes into the general election, he said.

“I don’t understand what the game plan is. As politicians, you have to balance between principles and pragmatism. But while you are there, at least pretend to serve the public interest rather than your self-interest,” he said.

Ibrahim Suffian.

Ibrahim said the congress should have focused on party policy and lined up its offers to the electorate but had instead carried on campaign talk from the recently-concluded party elections.

“It is not about ‘this guy is losing popularity, or ‘this guy is favouring a certain kind of agenda’ because beyond criticising the big tent policy, there’s no alternative.

“No politician will go into an election expecting to lose, and PKR’s a party with potential. It is a bit of a shame that the whole premise (of no big tent) is limiting the party’s chances,” he said.

Ibrahim said PKR’s way forward was to cooperate with other parties in a big tent and learn to forget about grudges, as it was what the rakyat wanted.

“At least Anwar had the magnanimity to accept Mahathir and work with him, which of course, didn’t work out and has left a bitter taste. But that’s history.

“The rakyat are not so bothered about (internal party) politics, but they would be happier if political foes forgave each other and worked beyond historical incidents. The public will be happier for that,” he said.

“For now, the rakyat wants to know how you would not get the run around again (by working with foes). I think that’s what we all want to hear. It’s quite clear that in Malaysian politics, no single party can win elections alone,” he said.