KUALA KANGSAR: A PKR grassroots leader here claimed that Perak, which is regarded as a Datuk Seri Mohamad Azmin Ali stronghold, is set to change its allegiance to Rafizi Ramli.
Tambun PKR chief, Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad, said Rafizi will be able to close the gap against Azmin in the tussle for the deputy president’s post when delegates in the state vote this Saturday.
Azmin is leading the race after obtaining 35,415 votes as of Sunday, compared to Rafizi’s 34,296.
Arafat - who is Hulu Kinta assemblyman, said the 1,119 vote superiority obtained by Azmin so far will be reduced significantly once voting is completed in Perak.
He claimed to have met at least 40 PKR leaders here who were vying for various posts and they all indicated support for Rafizi.
“I am convinced that party members here are set to change their allegiance.
“Perak PKR did not do too well in the last general elections (GE14) and only won four seats. We are hoping to get at least 12 seats in the coming elections and this can only be achieved if there is change, including at the state level leadership,” he said when met after he attended a programme here last night.
Also present was party vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Arafat said Rafizi was committed to giving greater autonomy for the party grassroots leaders to make decisions, something which had been lacking all this while.
Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah - who is defending the vice presidency, said candidates contesting in the on-going party election should appreciate the votes given to them by party members.
Nurul Izzah, who is member of parliament for Permatang Pauh, said all candidates should be given a chance to lead the party.
“This is a contest in a family and we appreciate every single member who comes out to vote,” she said.
Asked on her party post, Nurul Izzah said it was a platform for her to continue with the reformation agenda.
