By RADZI RAZAK
PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members commenced voting today in a pivotal leadership election that will shape the party’s direction for the 2025–2028 term.
The contest for the deputy presidency has garnered particular attention, featuring incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar as the main contenders.
Elsewhere there are 104 candidates for the MPP, 85 for the youth wing and 62 for the women’s wing.
Voting began at 8:00am and is scheduled to conclude at 5:00pm today.
According to PKR central election committee chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, a total of 32,030 delegates are eligible to vote, with 9,029 casting their ballots in person at designated centers in Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak, while the remaining delegates participate online via the ADIL application.
PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh stated that the results are expected to be announced as early as 9pm on Saturday, May 24, following the winding-up address by party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
She stressed the party’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive electoral process, noting that no objections were received during the nomination period.
In the lead-up to today’s vote, both candidates engaged in extensive campaigning. Nurul Izzah Anwar, leading the “DAMAI” campaign, focused on grassroots engagement and inclusive growth.
She expressed her commitment to party unity, insisting that, “Infighting will wipe out PKR in 5 to 10 years.”
At her final campaign event in Johor Bahru yesterday, she emphasized her enduring friendship with Rafizi, saying,
“Saudara Rafizi is my friend. Not only before, but now and forever,”adding that the competition is friendly.
Nurul Izzah also indirectly confirmed the rumours that Rafizi actually intended to resign when he took leave last month.
She said she received information that Rafizi had not only taken leave and vacated his office, but had also prepared a resignation letter.
“When I received the news that brother Rafizi had taken leave and vacated his office, I was still in India at that time to attend an international conference.
“The party leadership was also informed about a resignation letter that had already been prepared.
Nurul Izzah explained that this was what was said to have prompted PKR members to urge her to come forward and contest the position of PKR deputy president.
Meanwhile, Rafizi, spearheading the “HIRUK” campaign, emphasized reformist ideals and transparency.
“If I suddenly win, I might have a heart attack because knowing how things have been arranged and orchestrated, the signals are clear that I will lose. And I have no problem with that,” he said during his last campaign in Johor Bahru.
Fuziah, who replaced Rafizi to officiate the Youth and Women’s congress last night issued a passionate call for party members to preserve unity and stay true to the party’s founding values.
She reminded members that PKR’s success was built on collective sacrifices and struggles – and warned against internal sabotage to fulfil personal agendas.
“We must bring good values into our politics. We can have different views and we can agree to disagree.
“But if we want to push our own agendas at the expense of others, then we are drilling holes in our own ship – and it will sink,” she said.
The outcome of this election is poised to influence PKR’s trajectory and its role within Malaysia’s political landscape.
As the final ballots are cast and observers await the tally, the mood inside the party remains composed, even reflective – not of a bitter fight, but a test of conviction between two long-time comrades.
By tomorrow night, PKR will have to find a way forward, together.
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