Rafizi relying on help of grassroots to see reformasi ideology fulfilled.
PKR deputy president hopeful Rafizi Ramli has set the tone for his party election campaign by urging the grassroots to stand by him as a leader who was committed to the reformasi agenda.
In a statement yesterday, Rafizi appeared to imply that his team going into the party leadership elections at the end of August involved those who were not in the position of power.
“I know this is a heavy burden as I am not someone in government, nor am I wealthy,” he said in the statement that was issued to confirm his impending candidacy.
Rafizi said that the reformasi ideology, which gave birth to PKR in the late 1990s, must be continued and he was up to the challenge.
He said he would be relying on the help of party grassroots who want to see the reformasi ideology fulfilled.
“I can only rely on the support of grassroots friends whose lives have not changed after the May 9 elections because I am like them. I am just a reformist who wants to maintain the idealism which led us to politics 20 years ago,” he said.
Rafizi said he will launch his campaign on Sunday at the Hotel de Palma in Ampang, before holding a series of meetings with the party grassroots.
“I am willing to listen, be criticised, apologise and provide suggestions on how we can build a reformist party that stays true to its ideals and which gives prominence to its grassroots, instead of bowing to those at the top,” he said.
On Thursday night, Malaysiakini broke the news that Rafizi was offering himself for the party’s deputy presidency, which could set him on a potential collision course with incumbent Azmin Ali.
Azmin, the former menteri besar of Selangor and now in charge of the powerful Ministry of Economic Affairs, has yet to state if he will be defending his party position.
Rafizi also released what appeared to be a list of his running mates on his Facebook page.
Pictured side-by-side with him are Nurul Izzah Anwar, Johari Abdul, William Leong, S Kesavan, Fuziah Salleh, Rodziah Ismail, Akmal Nasir and Raymond Ahuar.
Rafizi and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah had previously teamed up, together with Saifuddin Nasution in the 2014 party leadership elections.
A source said that Nurul Izzah, Johari, Leong, and Kesavan will run for the four vice-president posts.
Meanwhile, Fuziah will contest for the PKR women’s chief post, with Rodziah as her deputy.
Akmal will go for the Youth chief position with Raymond as his running mate. Raymond is the Sabah Harapan Youth chief.
Also pictured in the graphic are Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Rafizi is backing Anwar to become PKR president. – Malaysiakini