Azmin: It’s not the win but the struggle to get there that matters
SHAH ALAM: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has pledged to stand with the new PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure the party remains strong as well as to further strengthen the Pakatan Harapan government.
Azmin, who is also the Economic Affairs Minister, reminded party members not to betray PKR’s struggles that had gone on for years.
“We are grateful that after 20 years, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is back to lead the party. I, together with colleagues, pledge to work with Anwar to face the challenges in the party,” he said in his winding up speech on the last day of the congress here.
Azmin said party members should stay united and not cause discord among fellow members so as to stay strong to fend off attacks from outside PKR.
He also cited his “feud” with Rafizi Ramli during the race for the deputy president post as an example that reflected party unity.
Azmin said he had adhered to Perlis delegate Tengku Nadzri Tengku Aldin’s concerns on Saturday over party unity due to the battle between him and the former Pandan MP for the party’s number two position.
“He had sincerely urged for me and my friend Rafizi to end the election campaign and move forward together to strengthen Keadilan.
“It is true that it was a very challenging election and the longest in the world but as a person who is older than him and as someone who is like an elder brother, I had spontaneously gone to him to greet him,’’ said Azmin, adding that the gesture as well as the hug between them had reinstalled their camaraderie to continue with the party’s struggles.
Azmin reminded that as propagated by Anwar and incumbent president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, politics wasn’t merely about gaining power but was also about values, etiquette and good practices.
“This is what makes Keadilan unique.
“We faced many challenges and emerged as a strong party and united in upholding the Reformasi torch,” said Azmin.
“It reminds me of the saying ‘it’s not the victory but the struggle that really matters’.”
He then told PKR leaders and delegates that the results of the recent party polls were not known yet other than whispers here and there.
“I don’t dare to tweet for fear of being scolded,’’ he said with a naughty glance at Dr Wan Azizah who had taken Azmin to task over a tweet that was misconstrued as his claim to victory.
On a more serious note, Azmin said PKR should prove to the world that the country could manage democracy well and responsibly.
He also called on everyone not to behave like they were in World War 3 as what had transpired during the party polls was a mature democratic process.
Azmin then borrowed a quote from former US president Barack Obama who said that “democracy was a noisy process”.
He also reminisced about the past and said he did not get where he was today “for free”.
“I faced challenges first from (Datuk) Zaid Ibrahim and then (Tan Sri) Khalid Ibrahim and after that,’’ he sniggered, then added that Rafizi had not fought him but had instead offered his services to the party.
Azmin said it was not a problem for him as he had remained calm and cool all the time, traits Anwar had requested of him.
“The person who is calm will be successful always,’’ said Azmin.
He said he had the experience of doing the work of a deputy president in the party for over a decade.
He also narrated how he had wanted to contest against the then deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali but was requested to refrain from doing so: “Anwar called me and said that Dr Syed Husin was his teacher and asked me not to go against him and I took Anwar’s advice because I was loyal to him.”
As a federal minister in the Pakatan Harapan government, Azmin said it could seize Sarawak from Barisan Nasional in the upcoming state election.
“In Sarawak, we will face a test. Work hard (in the election) and boost the dignity of PKR in the states and districts. Look after them, sympathise with them. Let us gather in Sarawak; if we can win in Sabah, Johor and Melaka, I believe we can win in Sarawak,” he said.
Azmin received thunderous cheer and applause throughout his 30-minute winding up speech.
He also received the loudest cheer and applause when his name was announced as the deputy PKR president by party Central Election Committee (CEC) chairman Datuk Rashid Din.
There were also loud chants of “Azmin, Azmin, Azmin” when he walked up to the stage to receive his certificate of accreditation from former Dr Wan Azizah.