The Malaysian Insight

THE PKR elections show a majority of the party’s members are against the political big tent idea, Rafizi Ramli said.

The big tent issue will be decided after PKR concludes its central leadership committee elections tomorrow, he said.

“Based on the current results so far, at the central leadership, women and youth elections (yesterday), there are strong sentiments against a big tent.

“Let’s see the outcome later,” the newly elected deputy president told reporters on the sidelines of the 16th PKR congress in Shah Alam today.

Rafizi was responding to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s policy speech today that indicated he was still in favour of a political big tent for opposition parties. 

The former Pandan MP, who won the deputy president’s post, is against the big tent proposal after Bersatu withdrew from Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2020 and caused the government to fall. 

Adding to it, Rafizi said that PKR and PH’s grassroots are also clearly against the idea. 

“How will the leadership sway fence sitters if they cannot convince our own supporters?” Rafizi asked. 

“Whatever any leaders say, it does not escape the clear message that is coming from our grassroots. They do not trust our alliances with parties that are not the same as we are and we must respect that.”

PKR is holding the final central leadership elections today for 20 members. 

After the polls tomorrow, Rafizi said that the new committee’s first task is to strengthen PH. 

“And we will have to scrutinise all the efforts in bringing in new groups and parties and see the negative effects. 

“It’s okay if the additional parties strengthen us. But if it negatively affects us, we are just shooting ourselves in the foot.” 

Rafizi said he was open to the idea of PH not contesting certain seats but he does not want other parties to join the pact. 

“We can discuss five or six seats but it must not dilute PH’s strength. The new leadership will work towards building a framework that will be adhered to by all PKR leaders.

“My stand is clear on this. I do not speak in riddles,” he added. – July 16, 2022.