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DATUK Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail remains confident that the ongoing Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) election campaign, despite its competitive nature, will not fracture party unity or disrupt its focus on national priorities.
The Home Minister, who is also a member of PKR's central leadership council, said the party has consistently placed the people’s welfare and national interest at the heart of its political struggle.
"Nothing is impossible in politics, especially in the lead-up to party elections. PKR is, at the very least, a party that has won 30 seats in past general elections. Leading up to 2025, the party elections will unfold with all sorts of styles and all sorts of candidates," he told reporters following the Immigration Department’s Excellent Service Award ceremony today.
"Some win, some lose, some leave the party. It's all part of it. But at the end of the day, what is the benchmark? It's whether the party is accepted by the people when it contests in a general election."
Reflecting on the party’s development since its formation, Saifuddin, who is also PaKatan Harapan (PH) Secretary General, added, "I would say that for a party that is relatively new after Umno, it's the party that wins the fewest seats. This shows that Keadilan is a political party that has a place in the country's political landscape."
Saifuddin was responding to questions regarding Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s campaign approach, which has drawn attention for referencing specific PKR leaders, sparking debate on its potential impact on party cohesion.
On the possibility of a public debate between Rafizi and vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, both of whom are contesting the deputy presidency, Saifuddin emphasised that such exchanges should be understood within context.
"It's like this, a debate is just one method. It depends on whether the candidates choose to accept or decline it. It's called an offer, not a compulsion," he said.
Rafizi had earlier indicated his willingness to engage in a face-to-face debate with Nurul Izzah, on condition that it be organised by a neutral third party, in response to calls from grassroots members seeking greater transparency in the party’s leadership race.
Saifuddin noted that PKR’s internal elections have always been vibrant, reflecting the party’s democratic culture as it marks its 26th year of existence. - May 16, 2025