KUALA LUMPUR – PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has not ruled out contesting the party’s deputy president post in the upcoming central leadership election.
Saifuddin, who is also the home minister, said he met with current deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli yesterday to discuss how to strengthen their roles and also touched on recent party developments.
He said both he and Rafizi are aligned on the need to show “continuous commitment towards strengthening PKR.”
“We also believe that this election is a democratic process that is permitted in the party’s constitution. This is a reformist party where its democracy can’t die (off),” he told reporters at the sidelines of the Home Ministry’s Monthly Assembly today.
“During elections, there are those who get elected and those who do not. I do not want to create a dichotomy between ‘Saifuddin’s people’ and ‘Rafizi’s people’ as the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has said that everyone in the party is part of it.”
Saifuddin also acknowledged that some quarters have been urging him to make an announcement.
“Not yet. I am yet to make any decision in that direction,” he added.
Big positions don’t guarantee wins
On prominent party figures losing in recent division-level elections, Saifuddin said, “They did not lose, it is just that they did not get enough votes.”
The PKR veteran noted that he himself has lost in party contests but continues to serve, adding that losing is not the same as being sidelined.
“As long as you remain loyal to the party, its leadership will continue giving you a place (in the party).
“Regarding these ‘big names’ (losing), there is no guarantee that they can win just because they are ministers, deputy ministers, and hold central leadership positions, right?
“Party elections are dynamic as they are also a process for renewal (in the party),” he said.
The division-level contests saw federal ministers and deputy ministers such as Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Adam Adli, and K. Sarawathy ousted.
However, Education Minister and PKR Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek clinched the Nibong Tebal division chief post in her debut bid. – April 22, 2025