PKR unity more important than who wins No 2 post, warns Tian Chua
N Faizal Ghazali
Published: May 17, 2025 7:40 AM
Updated: 9:46 AM
Summary
- Tian Chua and Khalid Samad share their perspectives on the ongoing competition for the PKR deputy presidency between Nurul Izzah Anwar and Rafizi Ramli.
- Chua, a former PKR vice-president, believes the party should focus more on keeping its internal unity intact, saying it does not matter who wins the number two post.
- Khalid, Amanah’s communications director, says Nurul Izzah is a victim of the fact that she is Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter.
PKR must not let the race for the party’s deputy president post between incumbent Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar cause a crack within its ranks, said former PKR vice-president Tian Chua.
Speaking in a KiniTV podcast programme, he said whoever wins the party’s number two post does not matter as much as party unity as long as Anwar Ibrahim is PKR president.
“I think it does not matter who will become the party deputy president. First of all, as long as Anwar is the president, he will decide its direction and cooperation with other parties.
“The rest (of the leadership), either they are the deputy president, vice-presidents, or members of the central leadership council, they only complement the president.
“The bigger risk here is how PKR can prevent this competition from causing internal fights or disunity. I believe that is more critical than who gets to win any position,” he said.
Chua, who is a former Batu MP, was speaking on KiniTV’s “Explain Sikit!” podcast programme hosted by Mastura Malak.
Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua (right), Amanah communications director Khalid Samad (left) and KiniTV podcast host Mastura Malak
On Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, he believed both PKR leaders have proven their mettle in politics since the “reformasi” days.
While Nurul Izzah is more popular internally, he said, Rafizi is better known among the public.
“But to me, Nurul Izzah has less experience in terms of government administration because she never served in either the state or federal government.
“Rafizi, on the other hand, has experience as a minister. Besides, Rafizi also has the capability to lead a ruling party. PKR is no longer in the opposition.
“That is why many from the same team in PKR have become ministers or menteris besar. So, to take over the deputy president role, the biggest challenge for Nurul Izzah is how she is going to gather enough experience to lead the party,” he said.
On Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, he believed both PKR leaders have proven their mettle in politics since the “reformasi” days.
While Nurul Izzah is more popular internally, he said, Rafizi is better known among the public.
“But to me, Nurul Izzah has less experience in terms of government administration because she never served in either the state or federal government.
“Rafizi, on the other hand, has experience as a minister. Besides, Rafizi also has the capability to lead a ruling party. PKR is no longer in the opposition.
“That is why many from the same team in PKR have become ministers or menteris besar. So, to take over the deputy president role, the biggest challenge for Nurul Izzah is how she is going to gather enough experience to lead the party,” he said.
PKR deputy president candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar
However, Chua admitted that Nurul Izzah has the upper hand in the deputy president race and expects the former Permatang Pauh MP to get more support than Rafizi.
“I think Nurul Izzah will get bigger support in terms of votes, and I feel sorry for Rafizi about this, but it is difficult for him to stop this.
“Regardless of whether they support (Nurul Izzah) because they support Anwar, or because they believe Nurul Izzah is better, in political reality, this will turn into a swing.
“But I am more concerned about how the president and both candidates can prevent this competition from causing a bigger crack. It is not a matter of win or lose, but how they can turn this process into an opportunity to pool their strength together,” he said.
This was Chua’s response when asked to comment on Rafizi’s statement that whoever does not support Nurul Izzah would be seen as rejecting Anwar.
Using the ‘daughter’ advantage
Adding further, Chua said it cannot be denied that Nurul Izzah’s status as Anwar’s daughter gives her some advantage.
“I think we should not be shy about this advantage. But the issue is, as a responsible leader, you have to prove yourself instead of depending on this advantage.
However, Chua admitted that Nurul Izzah has the upper hand in the deputy president race and expects the former Permatang Pauh MP to get more support than Rafizi.
“I think Nurul Izzah will get bigger support in terms of votes, and I feel sorry for Rafizi about this, but it is difficult for him to stop this.
“Regardless of whether they support (Nurul Izzah) because they support Anwar, or because they believe Nurul Izzah is better, in political reality, this will turn into a swing.
“But I am more concerned about how the president and both candidates can prevent this competition from causing a bigger crack. It is not a matter of win or lose, but how they can turn this process into an opportunity to pool their strength together,” he said.
This was Chua’s response when asked to comment on Rafizi’s statement that whoever does not support Nurul Izzah would be seen as rejecting Anwar.
Using the ‘daughter’ advantage
Adding further, Chua said it cannot be denied that Nurul Izzah’s status as Anwar’s daughter gives her some advantage.
“I think we should not be shy about this advantage. But the issue is, as a responsible leader, you have to prove yourself instead of depending on this advantage.
(L-R) Nurul Izzah, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Bandar Tun Razak MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Nurul Nuha
“You have to prove to party members and the rakyat that you are not dependent on the advantage. In my opinion, admitting it is a form of humility. That you admit that you have some advantage over your opponent.
“At the same time, you use the advantage for the benefit of the organisation, rakyat, and your supporters. I think that is what we want to see. So I am not shy to say that Nurul Izzah has an advantage because he is the party president’s daughter,” he said.
Family ties not an issue
Chua’s podcast co-panellist, Khalid Samad, who is Amanah’s communications director, believed Nurul Izzah’s relationship with Anwar should not be a point of contention among PKR members.
Instead, he said, such a matter is something that must be left to their political enemies to raise.
“You have to prove to party members and the rakyat that you are not dependent on the advantage. In my opinion, admitting it is a form of humility. That you admit that you have some advantage over your opponent.
“At the same time, you use the advantage for the benefit of the organisation, rakyat, and your supporters. I think that is what we want to see. So I am not shy to say that Nurul Izzah has an advantage because he is the party president’s daughter,” he said.
Family ties not an issue
Chua’s podcast co-panellist, Khalid Samad, who is Amanah’s communications director, believed Nurul Izzah’s relationship with Anwar should not be a point of contention among PKR members.
Instead, he said, such a matter is something that must be left to their political enemies to raise.
Amanah communications director Khalid Samad
Khalid said party delegates should decide who they want as party deputy president based on the candidates’ capabilities and strength, instead of the familial relationship between Nurul Izzah and Anwar.
“This is not the issue of who is the child of whom. If one were to decide their vote based on whether this person is PMX’s (Anwar) offspring or not, it is the wrong reason to have.
“In terms of experience and exposure opportunities between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, I think Nurul Izzah is a victim of the fact that she is Anwar’s daughter.
“This was what happened to Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) too. Just because she is Anwar’s wife, she can no longer be a minister. Because people look at the relationship.
“(A leader) should be measured based on their capabilities. If we were to use (familial relationship) as an excuse, then Nurul Izzah would never get the chance to be in the cabinet. She will have to wait until Anwar dies,” said Khalid.
Khalid said party delegates should decide who they want as party deputy president based on the candidates’ capabilities and strength, instead of the familial relationship between Nurul Izzah and Anwar.
“This is not the issue of who is the child of whom. If one were to decide their vote based on whether this person is PMX’s (Anwar) offspring or not, it is the wrong reason to have.
“In terms of experience and exposure opportunities between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah, I think Nurul Izzah is a victim of the fact that she is Anwar’s daughter.
“This was what happened to Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) too. Just because she is Anwar’s wife, she can no longer be a minister. Because people look at the relationship.
“(A leader) should be measured based on their capabilities. If we were to use (familial relationship) as an excuse, then Nurul Izzah would never get the chance to be in the cabinet. She will have to wait until Anwar dies,” said Khalid.
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