Rafizi didn’t prolong the contest so that Anwar will not be attacked

SHAH ALAM: It is of utmost importance that PKR members unite and support the new president, says Rafizi Ramli.

The outgoing party vice-president also pointed out that when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becomes the prime minister, he would face numerous challenges.

These, he said, would range from a slow economy to lukewarm Malay support as seen in the last election.

“I decided not to prolong the contest, because if this continued, the one who gets attacked will be Anwar,” Rafizi said at the party senior leadership’s series of winding up speeches.

He said any conflicts should be resolved through the party’s internal mechanisms so as not to give outsiders the opportunity of running down PKR.

“I observe WhatsApp chats, Facebook postings, sometimes even by the senior leadership, that disparage the efforts to lift up Anwar as PM.

“Some say his time is over. Some say it’s time for new faces to take over,” Rafizi said, adding that differences that allowed outsiders to attack and disparage Anwar from assuming the top post should stop.

The recent party election, said Rafizi, opened his eyes to party members who still lived in poverty.

The former Pandan MP said when he was campaigning, especially outside the Klang Valley, many areas, especially East Malaysia required attention.

This, he said, was especially so if the party was serious about uplifting women.

“I was told by police and government officers that it’s common for girls to stop schooling after 12 or 13, and they marry by 15 or 16.

“Not because they are not able to, but because there are no schools in their area, and it’s too expensive for their parents, who earn RM400 or RM500 a month, to pay for their boarding school fees,” Rafizi said.

Rafizi also promised to set up a cooperation to help the disadvantaged and party members who still lived in poverty – as a means to continue serving the party.