KUALA LUMPUR: Anyone can contest the party's deputy president post, PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said today.
In welcoming Rafizi Ramli’s candidacy for the number two post, she said such was part of the democractic system practised by the party.
“If he wants to contest, let him. Malaysia is a free and democratic country. The post is open to anyone who wishes to run for it,” she said after chairing a meeting with the residents of 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Project in Bukit Jalil.
Zuraida was commenting on the incumbent vice-president, who today launched a campaign to contest for the post in the upcoming party election.
Asked if she considered Rafizi suitable for the job, she said anyone who had offered themselves to contest would have considered themselves to be best suited for it.
Rafizi is expected to challenge Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali for the PKR deputy presidency. Azmin has so far remained cryptic on whether he would be defending the post.
Meanwhile, on claims of cronyism and nepotism in the party, she said such allegations were inaccurate.
This was following the resignation of Sabak Bernam PKR Youth chief Abdul Mutalib Ahmad and Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman, who claimed “death” of democracy in the party following several political appointments in the state.
“Sometimes you cannot help it if certain individual in question is qualified,
“For example, if you are a friend or relative, but not only are you qualified but also uphold fairness and transparency, then I do not see why you should not get the job,” Zuraida said.
She said it was innacurate to accuse that cronyism and nepotism has become part of the party’s culture.
“Blood does not matter in this case, but instead we go back to the principle of being fair and professional,” she said.