Rafizi: 'Opportunists' hijacking PKR via Nurul Izzah's camp
Alyaa Alhadjri
Published: May 21, 2025 8:15 AM
Updated: 10:15 AM
Summary
- PKR No 2 Rafizi Ramli warns of “opportunists” trying to hijack the party by aligning with Nurul Izzah Anwar.
- He frames the party election as a battle between reformists and opportunists, drawing parallels to the 2020 Sheraton Move.
- Rafizi criticises Nurul Izzah’s campaign tactics, accusing her team of using lavish venues and material incentives, which he said go against PKR’s reformist values.
PKR incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli ended his Jelajah Hiruk campaign in Johor Bahru last night with a stern parting shot – warning party members of “opportunists”.
He claimed these individuals were attempting to hijack the party by riding on the coattails of his challenger, vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Rafizi claimed the group comprised newcomers who were fast-tracked into positions of power, including being handed safe seats to contest in the 15th general election and later rewarded with appointments.
“This current party election is seeing a clash between the original reformists - our spirit is that of reformists – and the other group of opportunists,” said the Pandan MP.
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar
Referring to the 2020 political coup that saw 11 PKR MPs led by then deputy president Azmin Ali defect from the party, Rafizi said: “We thought that after the Sheraton Move, the size of this (opportunistic) group would be smaller… but it turns out their numbers have grown.”
In a veiled criticism of Nurul Izzah’s campaign, branded as Damai, Rafizi also aimed at the choice of venues and alleged use of material incentives to draw crowds.
He claimed public perception was that Nurul Izzah’s roadshow focused more on “fancy hotel venues” and providing “free food” to attendees.
“We used to reject such campaign tactics when done by our political rivals. But now a certain group of leaders are attempting to justify the practice,” said Rafizi.
“I sympathise with Izzah. Because there are people in her group of supporters who are steering her in that direction.
“My only fault is that I serve as a stumbling block to a culture that we have rejected in the past.
“So, do not even once allow our party to be taken over by such groups,” he stressed.
Referring to the 2020 political coup that saw 11 PKR MPs led by then deputy president Azmin Ali defect from the party, Rafizi said: “We thought that after the Sheraton Move, the size of this (opportunistic) group would be smaller… but it turns out their numbers have grown.”
In a veiled criticism of Nurul Izzah’s campaign, branded as Damai, Rafizi also aimed at the choice of venues and alleged use of material incentives to draw crowds.
He claimed public perception was that Nurul Izzah’s roadshow focused more on “fancy hotel venues” and providing “free food” to attendees.
“We used to reject such campaign tactics when done by our political rivals. But now a certain group of leaders are attempting to justify the practice,” said Rafizi.
“I sympathise with Izzah. Because there are people in her group of supporters who are steering her in that direction.
“My only fault is that I serve as a stumbling block to a culture that we have rejected in the past.
“So, do not even once allow our party to be taken over by such groups,” he stressed.
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kt comments:
Campaign getting uglier - I blame Anwar for allowing such a stage to come by
PKR has always been full of carpet beggars. Just a matter of who they latch on to.
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