This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 19, 2025 - May 25, 2025

AS Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim leads, gears up for its triennial party polls this weekend, all eyes are on the race for the deputy presidency, which will see a high-stakes showdown between the incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who is the economy minister and vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is the party president’s daughter.

The contest is being closely watched both within and beyond the party, especially because both candidates have been vocal champions of political and institutional reform and stand for a new culture of accountability. While Anwar retains the presidency unchallenged, the battle for the No. 2 post marks PKR’s first internal election since the party emerged as the lynchpin of the unity government following the 15th general election in 2022. With the deputy presidency paving the way for future leadership of the party, the stakes could not be higher for both former comrades.

This also marks Anwar’s final term as party president as the PKR constitution limits the role to three terms. At 77, Anwar is expected to begin laying the groundwork for succession — and the outcome of this race may offer the clearest signal yet of who will lead the party into the post-Anwar era.

Despite calls for reform and leadership renewal, the contest presents a surprisingly narrow field. Rafizi, known for his technocratic style and data-driven approach, remains popular among urban reformists. However, his blunt demeanour and reputation as a political lone wolf have made him a divisive figure, particularly among grassroots organisers and party veterans.

Nurul Izzah, who is seen as Anwar’s protégée and has been idolised by grassroots supporters as the “Reformasi Princess,” has kept a relatively low profile since her shock defeat in GE15. Still, her name continues to surface in succession talk, buoyed by longstanding party credentials and a public image as a principled reformist. Yet, lingering questions of nepotism and criticisms over an underwhelming policy record have complicated her bid.

This has left many of PKR’s estimated 30,000 delegates — representing all 222 divisions — in a quandary ahead of the May 23 vote in Johor Bahru.

For the first time, PKR will implement a proportional delegate voting system, approved during a special congress last December. Under the new format, delegates will vote to elect 20 central leadership council (MPP) members and six top office bearers — including the president, deputy president, and four vice-presidents. About 10,000 are expected to vote in person while over 20,000 will cast their votes online.

True to PKR’s tradition of colourful and occasionally chaotic internal contests, this year’s race has been anything but predictable.

Initially, the deputy presidency was expected to feature a rematch between Rafizi and former PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. However, growing support for Nurul Izzah across party divisions appears to have prompted Saifuddin to sit this round out.

Saifuddin has denied claims that he was asked to withdraw to make way for Nurul Izzah. Still, the ground sentiment suggests that momentum is clearly shifting in her favour.

Several bigwigs in the party have openly thrown their support behind Nurul Izzah, including Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, PKR Youth chief Adam Adli and Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek.

In contrast, Rafizi’s influence appears to be waning. Several of his allies suffered unexpected defeats in last month’s divisional elections — a trend party members have dubbed the “body without a head” phenomenon, where division chiefs lose while most of their team members win.

Among those affected are vice-president and Minister of Natural Resources Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, as well as Strategic Director and Deputy Minister of Energy Transition Akmal Nasir.

Some observers worry that, if mishandled, the deputy presidency race could destabilise not only the party but also the broader unity government — and even risk triggering the kind of political upheaval seen during the infamous Sheraton Move five years ago, which led to the collapse of the 22-month-old Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

That crisis, in part, stemmed from the fallout of PKR’s 2018 internal elections, which saw a bitter contest between Rafizi and then-incumbent deputy Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. The rivalry exposed deep rifts within the party and laid the groundwork for Azmin’s eventual defection, which brought down the PH government.

“There is a risk of internal division if the losing side cannot come to terms with the result,” says Merdeka Center director Ibrahim Suffian. “What is needed is compromise and wisdom — so the losers are not humiliated and the winners do not take all.”

While both Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are regarded as reformists and long-time allies, their approaches reflect diverging visions of the party’s direction.

The theme of Rafizi’s campaign revolves around “reviving the Reformasi ideals in a test of power”. He argues that support for PKR — particularly among non-Malay voters, the party and PH’s traditional base — has been waning since the coalition came to power.

He warns that without serious introspection and reform, PKR risks losing ground in the next general election.

Rafizi has also criticised what he describes as a creeping “luxury culture” within PKR — a veiled reference to money politics — suggesting that some newcomers have entered the party for positions and power, undermining its reformist spirit.

Nurul Izzah, in contrast, has campaigned under the theme of “Damai” — the Malay word for peace — emphasising unity and party cohesion in the run-up to the next general election, due in about two years.

Her message is more optimistic, envisioning a PKR that can endure for “100 years,” but she also acknowledges the need to rebuild trust with voters and reinforce ties with PH allies.

“Should Rafizi be successful, it would mark a change in leadership style and focus,” says Ibrahim.

If Nurul Izzah wins, he adds, the transition could be smoother, helping to maintain fragile alliances for future coalition-building.

Although framed as an internal party election, the implications of the PKR polls may extend far beyond the party itself.

Rafizi has publicly vowed to resign from the cabinet if he fails to retain the deputy presidency — a bold move that has turned an intra-party contest into an issue of national import.

Should Rafizi follow through on his intention, his exit could prompt a cabinet reshuffle within Anwar’s unity government, disrupting policy momentum and economic messaging. Rafizi is widely seen as the architect behind several flagship economic initiatives.

Yet, not all observers believe his departure would be so consequential. 

Professor Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia notes that key aspects of economic planning fall under the Prime Minister’s Department, not the Ministry of Economy.

“Even if Rafizi loses, he is unlikely to be cast out. Like cats, politicians have many lives,” Shamsul says.

As for Nurul Izzah, she has maintained that she is not interested in a ministerial post even if she wins — a position some interpret as an effort to avoid further accusations of nepotism.

Still, critics question her performance and policy record, arguing she has yet to demonstrate the leadership depth or administrative experience expected of a national-level leader.

Shamsul, however, believes Nurul Izzah’s rise in the party is based on merit and that she should enter the cabinet if she wins.

“She should be appointed to the cabinet — but certainly not as Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, which is widely seen as a third-tier portfolio,” he says.

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