KUALA LUMPUR – Following the conclusion of the PKR central leadership elections, calls have been made for all quarters to give time and space to candidates who were unsuccessful to come to terms with the outcome.
While disappointment is expected in any contest — including the race for the deputy presidency — party veteran R Sivarasa stressed that electoral defeat does not spell the end of unity within the party.
“There are those who are hurt and emotionally affected — that is normal in a democratic process.
“What’s important now is to give them time. I believe they will return and continue contributing as usual,” he told Scoop.
Having been with the party for more than two decades, Sivarasa said the spirit of unity within PKR remains strong despite the intense competition between factions in the recent internal polls.
“We heard for ourselves, almost every speech by the new leadership during the congress called for unity. That’s proof that PKR remains united,” he added.
Rafizi still needed
Commenting on the future of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who lost the deputy presidency to Nurul Izzah Anwar by a significant margin — 9,803 votes to his 3,866 — Sivarasa said the party’s top leadership has expressed its willingness to continue offering him a role in the party.
“The signal from the top leadership is clear — they want Rafizi to stay on. But we can’t force it. That decision lies with him,” he said.
Rafizi, who is also the Economy Minister and Pandan MP, had earlier taken to Facebook to express his relief at returning to private life while reaffirming his commitment to political ideals. “Honestly, I am not too disappointed. In fact, I feel relieved because I can finally return to private life, away from the antics and whims of power,” he wrote.
He thanked supporters for their encouragement and shared how young party members had pleaded with him not to leave. “I have no intention of giving up or abandoning the ideals we’ve upheld all this while, that Malaysia deserves something better,” he added.
The congress also saw several other key changes, including the defeat of incumbent vice-president and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. The official results were announced by PKR Central Election Committee chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.
Sivarasa reminded that the party must now refocus on its core struggle — championing the people and preparing for the next electoral contests, beginning with the Sabah state election and eventually the 16th General Election.
“Victory is not just about holding power, but about fulfilling the party’s mission for the people. Democracy must be strengthened, the people’s wellbeing prioritised, and the nation’s wealth fairly distributed,” he said.
He also dismissed speculation that the leadership contest would weaken PKR, stressing the party’s strength lies in its collective mission rather than any individual.
“We’ve endured far worse — the Sheraton Move, major internal splits — yet PKR survived. We’ve lost prominent figures before, but the struggle continues,” he said.
He added that the increase in participation by youth and women in this year’s congress — each group making up roughly 30% of delegates — was a positive sign that PKR remains a forward-looking and inclusive party.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub suggested PKR consider appointing some of the defeated candidates into the leadership line-up.
“PKR needs a ceasefire involving all leaders for six months to ease tensions and assess the loyalty of those who lost.
“If they remain with the party after six months, then PKR can proceed to appoint some of them into leadership through appointments.
“If the party wants to strengthen itself, it could create new appointed positions, for example a second deputy president post, and appoint Rafizi (Ramli) to that role,” he said. - May 24, 2025
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