‘Party within the party’: Nurul Izzah says PKR unity threatened by internal clashes

MELAKA, Aug 14 — PKR’s deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has cautioned that the party cannot remain strong if it is distracted by internal disputes.

Speaking at the joint Wanita Keadilan and Angkatan Muda Keadilan congress in Ayer Keroh today, she said the party risked weakening itself if factionalism continued to dominate, The Star reported.

“We cannot be strong as an organisation if there is a party within the party, two captains steering one ship, or the existence of an invisible hand, a hidden power structure behind the visible power structure,” she was quoted as saying in her opening address.

She said the party could not be strong if its energy continued to be consumed by internal disputes, noting that every hour spent quarrelling among members was time lost in winning public support.

Nurul Izzah also highlighted that PKR’s priorities should remain focused on democratising the economy, competing to do good and securing electoral victories. She acknowledged that not every task would be easy.

Her remarks come in the wake of several high profile departures from the party, including former leaders Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The PKR national congress, which began yesterday, is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.