Anwar’s win a boost for Rafizi

Chances of becoming PKR’s No.2 brighter, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s big victory at the Port Dickson by-election will boost Rafizi Ramli’s chances of being PKR’s No.2 although Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is leading for now, says a political analyst.

This was because Rafizi is seen as having been endorsed by PKR president-elect Anwar, Dr Mazlan Ali said.

“Azmin is in the lead after the first stage of Selangor e-voting,” he noted.

“The contest between the two at the remaining Selangor branches and other states, which have yet to e-vote, will be watched closely.

“I feel Anwar’s win will likely provide a new momentum for Rafizi,” said Dr Mazlan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

In what is seen as the hottest race in the PKR party elections, incumbent Azmin is currently leading by 747 votes.

Selangor is seen as the biggest bank of PKR votes in the country.

So far, Rafizi has won in Terengganu, Pahang, Kelantan and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

Azmin clinched Penang and Johor, besides the first round of voting in Selangor.

While Rafizi’s teammate Nurul Izzah Anwar currently has the highest number of votes for the vice-president’s post, Zuraidah Kamaruddin, Xavier Jeyakumar and Tian Chua have come in at number two, three and four respectively. The latter three are perceived to be in Azmin’s camp.

There are four positions for vice-presidents in the party and eight are vying for the posts.

As for the Youth and Women wings, those aligned to Azmin are also leading in a close contest against that of Rafizi’s.

In the few weeks leading to Nov 10, the second and third stages of Selangor will e-vote along with Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.

PKR central election committee chief Datuk Rashid Din said that the elections so far had “run very well”.

“It was just a matter of crowd management in the initial stages,” he said, adding that they were in full control now.

Meanwhile, Anwar told reporters yesterday that PKR would investigate allegations that money politics were involved in its party elections.

“We have gathered all the information to the JPP (election steering committee) and the disciplinary board. They will investigate it,” he said.

On Monday, Rafizi alleged that there was vote-buying in six states.

The following day, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that the allegations would be investigated.