“This is strictly between Rafizi and Azmin,” says Pakatan’s sec-gen

(MMO) – Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has dismissed speculation party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail is trying to undermine the Selangor government or Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

He said what PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli did by reporting his allegation of demands for women and money when dealing with the state government to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was in in line with a decision by the party’s political bureau.

“Wan Azizah is not involved. I don’t think she is interested in having a say in state matters, especially in the Sungai Besar by-election, where she has allowed Azmin all the room to negotiate with PAS.

“If she is so interested in state matters, she would probably take it upon herself in making the decision,” he said.

“This is strictly between Rafizi and Azmin.”

Rafizi’s action in lodging a report with the MACC on Monday is seen by many, including some party members, as an attempt by Dr Wan Azizah to regain control of the party from her deputy Azmin.

Saifuddin also denied Azmin had a closer relationship with PAS compared to other parties in the opposition pact since PAS was the one which had strongly lobbied for him to be mentri besar instead of Dr Wan Azizah.

“Relations with PAS is not carried out by Azmin in his personal capacity. It is the party’s decision which Amanah and DAP are aware of from the day we launched Pakatan Harapan early this year,” he said.

He also dismissed the allegation that the “Save Malaysia” campaign had seen Azmin and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad getting too close for the comfort of PKR leaders and members.

“Wan Azizah distanced herself from the campaign in the beginning, and this is a party decision,” Saifuddin said.

 “Thus, people perceive Azmin and Dr Mahathir as being too close.”

PKR MP for Sungai Petani Datuk Johari Abdul said Rafizi’s report had nothing to do with an alleged attempt to undermine the Selangor mentri besar’s government.

“I strongly believe our party has been very consistent with our core struggle which is fighting any malice and corruption to the end,” Johari said.

PKR deputy president Dr Xavier Jayakumar agreed Rafizi’s actions had nothing to do with Azmin or Dr Wan Azizah.

“We do not know what the allegations are but I am sure Rafizi had known something serious which required immediate action,” he said.

“Hence, the best thing to do is to wait for the MACC to investigate. This issue will not have an effect on our party,” he said.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Samad said any infighting within PKR would not affect the upcoming by-elections.

“The impact on Amanah and DAP will be minimal. I don’t think Rafizi’s action will have any significant impact on PKR,” he said.

Khalid said the allegations were targeted at the state government and not directly at Azmin and he should not be angry.