In Malaysia, PKR’s Rafizi steps up poll campaign as Anwar’s daughter contests No 2 post
The entry of Nurul Izzah Anwar as a candidate for PKR’s deputy president in the party’s May 23 election has triggered nepotism claims
Rafizi, who is economy minister and deputy president in the People’s Justice Party (PKR), has been on a cross-country campaign for the past two weeks warning of the risks of the party losing the next federal election – with Anwar’s clean reputation at risk of being dented by efforts to elevate Nurul Izzah.
The May 23 PKR polls have no bearing on Anwar’s hold on federal power. But they are an important marker of his grip on both the party and government with just over two years left of his term as prime minister.
On Sunday, Rafizi said he would not join the women’s and youth wing congresses scheduled to open on Thursday, after the party appeared to go against its protocol and snub him in favour of Nurul Izzah, sending her to launch PKR’s campaign for state polls in Sabah.
“There was no meeting, no official notice. Suddenly a poster came out saying Nurul Izzah Anwar and Amirudin Shari would launch the election machinery,” Rafizi said at a party campaign event in Perak state, also referring to the party’s vice-president and chief minister of Selangor state.
“We must have proper procedures. We must have decorum. If everyone acts as they please, how can we run the party properly?”