Anwar Rafizi Means Well But Need Not Be Hard On Everything

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PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli's return to active politics saw him approaching the party's leadership election with guns blazing.
Rafizi's campaign has adopted a critical lens on the PKR and Pakatan Harapan's decisions since 2018, causing some tensions within the coalition.
In an interview on April 18, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim believed that Rafizi, his once trusted confidante, meant well. However, Anwar appeared uncomfortable with Rafizi's confrontational approach.
"Rafizi's character is 'hard'," said Anwar.
"Yet, he is someone that we can have discussions with. No problem.
"I do not see myself as the sole target of his criticisms. He just wants to help the party.
"I believe that in giving advice, he does not have to 'go hard' on everything, especially when it comes to the party. "
"And I do not see that all his criticisms were directed at me as the party president,” he added.
Anwar said this when asked to comment on Rafizi's candidacy for PKR deputy presidency. Rafizi will face PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a straight fight.
Rafizi RamliWithdrew himself
Rafizi was a candidate for PKR deputy presidency during the last internal election in 2018, narrowly losing to International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali, who has since defected to Bersatu.
After the election, Rafizi withdrew himself from political activities to focus on business.
Anwar said that although the party respected freedom of expression, the delivery was important in order to protect the party's interest.
"There are things that (PKR's internal critics) got wrong. For example, the issue of the 'big tent' approach. (Rafizi) got it totally wrong," said Anwar.
Rafizi had recently criticised Amanah and DAP for lobbying Harapan to adopt a "big tent" approach towards the next general election, wherein the coalition will seek out new partners to galvanise the opposition against BN.
For Rafizi, the "big tent" approach was akin to seeking a "new tent", rather than working on existing problems.
Anwar said the "big tent" approach was never discussed by the PKR leadership and was thus irrelevant.
Therefore, he added, Rafizi should not be antagonising Harapan allies.
Collective decision
Meanwhile, Anwar disagreed with his daughter Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah's view that Harapan will lose two more general elections before having a decent opportunity at winning.
Anwar IbrahimTo Anwar, Nurul Izzah's pessimistic outlook will serve as a reminder for Harapan and motivate the coalition to work harder.
"As a collective, anyone can have an opinion. This is a democratic party. Decisions are made collectively. Nurul Izzah can say what she wants.
"We can take what she said as a warning that the party should change and rebuild. Failure will mean losing (during the election).
"Her opinions were based on observations of the Johor and Malacca elections. I disagree with this," he said.
BN won both elections by a landslide after having just the states to Harapan in 2018.
According to Nurul Izzah, voters still have a bad impression of Harapan over its shortcomings during its 22-month rule culminating in the fall of the Harapan administration. - Mkini

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