AZMIN, RAFIZI LOCKED IN TIGHT RACE; 7 ARRESTED OVER PKR POLLS CHEATING
Rafizi boosted by reputation, campaign style, say analysts
RAFIZI Ramli’s fiery start in the race for the PKR deputy presidency has left the incumbent, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, with only a slim lead.
Azmin took both rounds of voting in Selangor so far, with 774vote and 593-vote majorities, respectively. There is still one round to go in the state, considered Azmin’s home turf.
And with the final six divisions in the state heading to the polls this weekend, Azmin may have to pull out serious firepower to win big in the state where he previously served as menteri besar.
Analysts, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, expressed surprise at Rafizi’s ability to chip away at Selangor’s status as Azmin’s fixed deposit in the polls.
“Based on his record as menteri besar, Azmin should be leagues ahead. The younger PKR members seem to be in Rafizi’s team.
“This can be attributed to his campaigning style, where he has been going down to the ground often from the 14th General Election until now. Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, lacks the time to do so,” he said.
Sivamurugan added that apart from PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s supposed endorsement of Rafizi, his status as a whistleblower and spearheading big data outfit Invoke, which predicted the GE14 outcome, also gave him an edge.
He, however, believes that there is a sting in the tale yet, as the election only ends on Nov 10 after Sabah and Sarawak go to the polls.
Fellow analyst Dr Jeniri Amir believes the results in Selangor are reflective of the neck-andneck fight for the No. 2 spot playing out on the national stage. “I believe Rafizi will prevail, because he has the support of Anwar and his camp. Those on the ground will support the president and future prime minister (Anwar) as they do not want to be isolated by the party leadership. “Azmin is considered a person close to (Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and this doesn’t sit well with Anwar’s loyalists.
“But Azmin has the advantage of having seasoned leaders, such as Zuraida Kamaruddin and Tian Chua, backing him, so his clout is undeniable.”
Analyst Dr Hoo Ke Ping likened Rafizi’s campaign strategy to that of someone who had nothing to lose.
“By making announcements that he had won in Melaka and Negri Sembilan without the results having been finalised, he is giving himself a psychological advantage.
“He has nothing to lose. Azmin, on the other hand, has to check himself constantly. He is a minister and if the rumours are true, then he is a prime minister in waiting.
“His rapport with Dr Mahathir has also caused his performance to suffer as it has led to unease among some of the grassroots and the Reformasi faction, who have pitched their support for Rafizi,” added Hoo.
On the chaos surrounding how the polls and the e-voting system were carried out, Jeniri and Hoo dismissed them as teething problems.
Hoo said the violence during the PKR polls was expected as the party was having its first taste of power as Pakatan Harapan’s largest party.
“The stakes are so high that each candidate’s camp will not be above accusing the competition of underhanded tactics.”
Jeniri, however, cautioned PKR members against being too emotional and becoming like parties in Barisan Nasional which they had criticised before.
Hoo and Jeniri agreed that the veracity of the 2,000 missing votes in the Melaka and Negeri Sembilan polls should be investigated.