JOHOR BARU: The appointment of PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli as chairman of the party's Johor chapter does not mean that he will contest for a Parliamentary seat from the southern state in the 15th General Election (GE15).
PKR strategy director Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said most of the newly-appointed state leaders also have their own leadership areas, and Rafizi not only chairs the Johor PKR Leadership Council but also the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory PKR Leadership Council.
"The decision of the president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and also the party leadership to place the deputy president and vice presidents to lead the state PKR's is a strategic step taken after the recent party elections.
"This step is taken as a whole, with the intention that when an appointee is from the central leadership, all instructions, information and strategic actions of the state will be addressed to the central level," he said when met here today.
Akmal Nasrullah who is the Johor Baru Member of Parliament, said the appointment to head a state leadership council does not mean that the individual will contest in the state parliamentary seat he leads.
"For example, the Menteri Besar of Negri Sembilan is the chairman of Negri Sembilan PKR and also Melaka. That does not mean he will go to Melaka in GE15. The same with the Menteri Besar of Selangor who chairs PKR Selangor and Pahang, it does not mean he will go to Pahang," he explained.
This Wednesday, Rafizi, who is also a former Pandan Member of Parliament, will meet the Johor state leadership for the first time since his appointment.
The meeting is expected to discuss preparations for GE15.
Akmal Nasrullah said the meeting will be attended by PKR Branch Heads, state PKR Youth (AMK) leader and the state PKR Women's Leader.
"Previously, the Johor PKR Leadership Council meeting was only held virtually, and we had stated the leadership arrangement at the state level that will be formed later.
"At the meeting, I expect discussion to take place on the preparations for GE15. As for the distribution of seats, the Deputy President will take feedback from the branch and state leadership," he said.
On whether he would give way to Anwar if the opposition leader stood in the Johor Baru parliamentary seat, Akmal Nasrullah said Anwar's influence not only in his traditional seat, but also can inluence victory in other areas if given the opportunity.
"If the place and purpose is right, God willing, he (Anwar) could give victory to PKR and if we look at his electoral past, he contested in Permatang Pauh, but now in Port Dickson.
"It proves that Anwar's influence is not only in his traditional areas," he said.
It was reported Anwar was still considering some proposals related to the seat he will contest in GE15.
He is reported to have said there were some proposals for him to contest, which includes Perak, Johor and Penang.
Anwar, meanwhile, has denied that he had decided to stand in the Tambun Parliament seat in GE15.