Rafizi holds slender lead over Azmin

PETALING JAYA: Rafizi Ramli (pix) holds a slender lead over Datuk Seri Azmin Ali following the end of PKR polls in six states.
As it stands Rafizi has received 19,160 votes whilst Azmin has garnered 19,112, with Rafizi taking Federal Territories, Pahang, Kelantan and Terrengganu and Azmin winning in Johor and Penang.
There were problems at the PKR elections in Kedah and Penang but it was mainly due to a glitch in the system and the party Election Committee invalidated the results of the state elections over technical difficulties and shortcomings from staff responsible for overseeing the voting process.
There were also chaotic incidents and during a media conference by the Party Election Committee in Seberang Jaya after the Penang polls, some party members starting fighting and throwing chairs.
Despite these woes the party elections have continued and the intense rivalry between the two men (Rafizi and Azmin) may have some long-term effects on the party.
A party insider said Azmin is an MP and a Cabinet minister who holds an important post in government while Rafizi was disqualified from standing for the General Election due to his conviction.
He added that Rafizi still has to face a few court cases and may end up in jail and if he wins the post, it may end up being vacant while he serves his sentence.
"This will not be good for the party as we are now part of the ruling coalition," the source said.
He said another worrying factor is the growing animosity between the two camps as accusations have been hurled at each other.
He said it can only be hoped that for the sake of the party that they will be able to put aside their differences once the elections are over.
"This close fights also reveals how deeply divided the party members are, with some senior party members hoping that a clear winner have emerged after six states had cast their votes.
"It being so close does not bode well as there have been a number of issues cropping up as the build-up to the party elections have been very intense," the source said.
He said at stake is the future of both politicians' careers and Azmin's clout will be affected if he loses to Rafizi, who is in political wilderness at the moment.
PKR is the first Pakatan Harapan party to hold elections since the coalition deposed Barisan Nasional as the government and a total of 76 posts are being contested at the party polls.
Another senior party leader said the entire election was unhealthy for the party as both Rafizi and Azmin were talented leaders which the party could not afford to lose.
"Regardless of who wins, I hope they both can continue to serve the party. They each have their individual strengths and it would be waste to see any one of them go," he added.