Azmin turns down Rafizi’s debate offer

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has rejected PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s call for a debate ahead of the party election.

Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, said a debate was unnecessary as the fight for the deputy presidency was an internal affair.

“I would like to thank Rafizi for the offer. However, I do not see the need for it.

“This is not a presidential election that requires the public to be involved. It is only among PKR members.

“However, I believe that we can discuss internal issues for the sake of the party because PKR needs to emerge stronger after the election,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Azmin will go head to head with Rafizi for the deputy president’s post in the party election.

Rafizi had announced that his “team” would contest the election this month.

It was reported that the former Pandan member of parliament had claimed those in his camp included Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar, Sungai Petani member of parliament Datuk Johari Abdul, Selayang member of parliament William Leong Jee Keen, Sungai Siput member of parliament S. Kesavan and Kuantan member of parliament Fuziah Salleh, who is also deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs).

PKR leaders that were said to be part of Azmin’s camp were Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, PKR vice-presidents Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, as well as Bandar Tun Razak member of parliament Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar.

Also said to be on Azmin’s team were Paya Jaras assemblyman Mohd Khairuddin Othman and Kajang assemblyman Hee Loy Sian.

...I do not see the need for it. This is not a presidential election that requires the general public to be involved. It is only among PKR members. DATUK SERI AZMIN ALI PKR deputy president