PKR picks election losers for GE boost, sidelines Rafizi, Wong Chen
Newly-elected deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail were named joint election directors, replacing Datuk Rafizi Ramli, who resigned from cabinet after losing party polls.
Saifuddin also joined the Political Bureau, while Datuk Mustapha Sakmud retained his role as Sabah state leadership council chairman.
PKR's new lineup favours members who lost seats in the last General Election, sidelining key winners like Rafizi Ramli and Subang MP Wong Chen. Nurul Izzah, Saifuddin and Fuziah failed to win a seat in the last GE.
Rafizi, credited by grassroots for past electoral successes, appears overlooked as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim charts a new course.
The party claims this reshuffle bolsters its prospects for the upcoming Sabah state election, with the same team likely leading into the next General Election.
However, internal rifts are surfacing. In Puchong, deputy chief Zubir Khan, supported by 17 committee members, lodged a complaint with Fuziah Salleh, alleging the division's first meeting violated party procedures.
Wanita chief Yusni Mat Yusof claimed the meeting lacked a quorum and proper elections, with unilateral appointments by the division chief rendering decisions 'null and void.'
As 222 divisions nationwide hold meetings until July 15, the Puchong dispute highlights PKR's post-election turmoil, threatening party unity. Meanwhile, calls grow for Wong Chen to resign, while Rafizi enjoys strong online support from PKR members.
One notable factor in this new lineup is the fact that the party has chosen to elect members who lost their seats in the last General Elections and has sidelined some of its biggest election winners, Rafizi and Wong Chen. —June 22, 2025
Main image: Malay Mail
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