Rafizi: Challenge Anwar and family or quit

PKR members who do not like party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his family are free to either challenge them at the next party polls or quit, said PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

Defending Anwar against accusations of nepotism, Rafizi slammed PKR members who have been sniping at Anwar and his family behind their backs, reminding them that the party leader and his family were similar to the Gandhi family in India.

“Some of the loudest accusations of nepotism against Anwar and his family have come from within the party.
“Some of these accusations have also been spread by some of the delegates present here today but they dare not admit this openly,” Rafizi said in his winding-up speech at the PKR annual congress yesterday.

Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail  is PKR president while his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar is vice-president.

Rafizi said the term Istana Bukit Segambut (Bukit Segambut Palace), used by critics to accuse Anwar of promoting his family, originated from within the party.

Bukit Segambut in Kuala Lumpur is where Anwar’s house is located.

Rafizi advised Anwar’s detractors in PKR to contest against them at the next party election.

“If you are not confident with the party and the struggle of its leaders, you are also welcome to leave,” he said.