IPOH, 11 May 2025 – Ottrangknews predicts that a one-on-one contest between incumbent PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and party Vice President Nurul Izzah Anwar could result in a major defeat for Rafizi should he insist on defending his post.
Grassroots sentiment collected by Ottrangknews journalists nationwide reveals a strong wave of support for Nurul Izzah, who is seen as more inclusive, unifying, and capable of injecting fresh energy into a party currently grappling with an internal credibility crisis.
The majority of grassroots members believe Rafizi should step down honourably and make way for Nurul Izzah to ensure the continuity of PKR as a mature and progressive reformist party. This move would not only preserve internal unity but also elevate women’s leadership that is more inclusive and attuned to the people’s voices.
“It’s better to step aside and continue serving the people as a minister, than to lose and be forced to resign,” said a PKR division chief from Johor who declined to be named.
According to Ottrangknews’ analysis, if Rafizi insists on contesting and loses, pressure will mount for him to step down from his Cabinet post—dealing a major blow to the credibility of the Prime Minister, who has long defended Rafizi as a senior minister.
In a spirited speech during the Temu Rapat Akar Umbi (Grassroots Gathering) programme in Ipoh yesterday, Nurul Izzah stated that her decision to contest was rooted in her desire to unite PKR members and to champion the role of women as agents of change.
“Women must be heroines that unite, not just supporters. I want the power of women to bring all hearts together in this party. No leader can succeed without a strong, intelligent, and brave team,” she said before a crowd of over 1,000 supporters.
To the grassroots, Nurul Izzah’s speech was more than rhetoric—it was a timely call to action at a moment when the public is growing weary of internal power struggles and political egos.
Ottrangknews calls on Rafizi to take the high road, prioritise party unity, and show statesmanship by making way for Nurul Izzah—for the sake of PKR’s future and that of Malaysia.