YOURSAY | Saifuddin vs Rafizi - not a time for finger-pointing

YOURSAY | ‘Rafizi, Nurul Izzah should not be denied the democratic process to return.’

When PKR faced betrayal, some chose hiatus - Saifuddin Nasution

Monty: PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, this is not the time to point fingers. The 15th general election could come any day now.

It’s time for the party management to work with anyone willing to ensure success and this means working with people like former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, who was on hiatus and decided to come back, and Nurul Izzah Anwar, who quit her post as the party’s vice-president in December 2018.

These two were instrumental in building the party’s image among voters but dropped out because they did not agree with its directions after the last election. Surely the party must now acknowledge that they were right.

Way To Go: Saifuddin is justified about Rafizi and Nurul Izzah taking a holiday and failing to take collective responsibility following former deputy president Azmin Ali’s betrayal and the Sheraton coup.

But that should not deny Rafizi and Nurul the democratic process to return to the struggle and partake in the party election.

They want to contribute to rebuilding the party and they have come at a time the party is at rock bottom. That is a sign of their loyalty to the party.

Saifuddin must admit that the party has weakened instead of strengthened. What good is keeping Rafizi and Nurul Izzah out if the so-called loyalists are unable to turn the party around?

Let there be a fair fight. And let the members decide.

VPBiden: Yes, Saifuddin has valid points. When Azmin and gang betrayed the party and president Anwar Ibrahim, that's when you show unity to the cause.

The right time for Rafizi and Nurul Izzah to come back would have been right after the Sheraton Move and say "I told you so" to Pakatan Harapan.

Nevertheless, it’s better to be late than never, which is more damaging. Just remember, in GE11, PKR won only one seat and eventually made a comeback. History teaches us lessons; lest we forget.

Saifuddin has been a loyal lieutenant of PKR and in a democracy, so he is entitled to put forth his views.

Justice: Right after Harapan won the last GE, Dr Mahathir Mohamad baited Harapan leaders with ministerial posts, which they swallowed hook, line and sinker.

When Mahathir blatantly started pushing back against the promised reforms in Harapan’s manifesto, all the ministers went as quiet as a church mouse.

The lone voice in the wilderness of Rafizi, Nurul Izzah and the likes warning Harapan against Mahathir just fell on deaf ears.

No doubt, Harapan and PKR were at their peak and height of glory. Yet, Rafizi and Nurul Izzah decided not to be a part of the coalition with Mahathir at the helm.

And 22 months thereafter, the moment of truth came about when Mahathir’s agenda imploded and climaxed in the Sheraton Move, demolishing Harapan to smithereens.

Yes, what unfolded clearly vindicated Rafizi and Nurul Izzah.

Party loyalty is essential but if you are a leader leading a political party, incompetency and inability to even detect, let alone resist the baits thrown by and avoid the trap holes set up by political enemies, cannot and should not be tolerated.

The continuing fatal humiliating defeat suffered by Harapan and worst by PKR in the Malacca, Sarawak and Johor elections was another clear evidence of voters’ rejection of the present leadership quality of Harapan and PKR.

What PKR needs to do to regain its strength is to learn fast from the past bitter mistakes and be open-minded to new ideas and strategies and embrace changes.

It should not stick to stale narratives and always feeling insecure or suspicious of and threatened by those wanting to contribute to its success and strength.

Proarte: Indeed, PKR must show its democratic credentials first before shouting 'Reformasi'.

Let the delegates vote who they want. Are Nurul Izzah and Rafizi entitled to contest? If they are, then let the rule of law and democracy take hold.

I personally feel Anwar should step down and allow the younger generation to vie for the top posts.

The opposition has given support to Anwar for 24 years and it is time he lets go, like the former DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, who announced his retirement from politics on Sunday.

More so than ever, we need a younger generation opposition leader without baggage. Nurul Izzah and Rafizi are widely accepted across the population spectrum and are potential leaders.

Dm: While I do not know the reason for Rafizi and Nurul Izzah’s "hiatus" or "sabbatical leave" or "inactive" status in the party, it was probably not an easy decision for them to make.

Decision made collectively is a good sign of democracy, yet not all may agree with the decision. Those who are not happy with the decision made could have taken the "responsible" way to step aside. Is that betrayal?

Those who are happy with the "party’s collective decision" can continue with the outcome of the decisions they agreed on as well as the direction of the party.

Saifuddin, to neglect your responsibility and call other people’s decisions a "betrayal" to the party is a new low for a respectable politician.

Personal attacks within a party can lead to self-destruction. You have not lost yet, but you started off with a stab in your party members’ backs.

Has PKR grown too big that it is hard to change with the tides of the younger generation? Take it from DAP’s Damansara MP Tony Pua - accept the result, thank the party and move on.

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