The Malaysian Insight

PKR Youth is facing internal turmoil as different factions continue to fight each other in the hope of taking control of the wing, said sources.

The infighting is a continuation of the bitter fight which first started between rivals Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli during the party elections last year.

The youth wing is currently led by Akmal Nasir from Rafizi’s camp, who defeated Azmin supporter Dr Afif Bahardin.

While Akmal won the contest to be the Youth chief, the other posts in the wing were won by people aligned to Afif.

Afif’s supporters do not accept Akmal’s leadership and are trying to force their way into the states by having alternative line-ups, party sources said. Their plan is also to boycott state meetings.

The Malaysian Insight recently sighted messages from Johor PKR Youth’s internal WhatsApp group where Azmin supporters are planning to name their own state youth wing line-ups.

When contacted, Johor AMK chief Yuneswaran Ramaraj said it is time to set aside differences from the party polls so that they can work in unity for the party.

“Everyone should move on and accept that Akmal was elected by the party grassroots. I also want to know why this faction wants to have its own line-up.

“Is this for the good of the youth wing or for their self-interest?

“I welcome them to do activities but these have to be done for the right reasons. We are the ruling party, and we will have to adhere to the wishes of the grassroots,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Another source from Penang said some of Afif’s supporters refused to cooperate with the state youth leadership.

“The state youth wing meeting will be held on February 15 but so far, I have not seen any sign of boycott.

“But there are some, especially from among Afif’s supporters, who refuse to accept the reality, especially when they were not appointed to the state line-up.

“But we are aware of their plans to have an alternative line-up,” said the source.

Another source said the situation was such because those who were defeated could not accept their loss.

“They want to protest (against Akmal’s win) and can’t accept Afif’s defeat. Afif’s team has also created a separate movement and is active on social media to carry out its activities and plans,” said the source.

For the Kelantan leadership, they are keen to perform their work and do not entertain the idea of boycotting the state meeting, said state youth chief Muhd Hafiz Muhd Kasasi.

“We were appointed by Akmal and will conduct our responsibilities as usual without paying attention to any other agenda,” he said. – February 11, 2019.