I’m not in it for power, says Rafizi
IPOH: PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli said he is throwing his hat into the ring not to seek power.
The former Pandan member of parliament said he only wanted to ensure that PKR president-inwaiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be appointed as the next prime minister as promised by Pakatan Harapan in its 14th General Election manifesto.
Rafizi is facing Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is defending his deputy president’s post.
“Many people, especially outsiders, do not understand the development that is taking place in the party. I am not contesting for power or position,” he said at a debate in conjunction with the “#Reformasi 20 Tahun” event here on Saturday.
More than 500 people turned up for the event.
Rafizi said he wanted to resolve the divisions among leaders and members, which he claimed started in 2015.
“At the grassroots level, there are members who feel there are power struggles, disunity and bickering in the party.”
Rafizi said the party was split into two camps — one led by Azmin and the other by him and party leaders who supported him.
He said there were those who were “uncomfortable” with efforts to make Anwar the next prime minister.
He claimed that they criticised Anwar for being gopoh (impatient).
More than 800,000 members are expected to vote in the PKR election from Sept 14 to Oct 13.