“You ‘stab’ me, then ask for peace?” - Rafizi rebukes PKR members

IPOH – PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has criticised certain individuals within the party, accusing them of pretending to seek peace after inciting tensions and launching silent attacks from within.

Speaking at the Jelajah Hiruk Zon Perak event held at the Taman Cempaka Community Hall here on Sunday, Rafizi expressed regret over the culture of backstabbing ahead of the PKR 2025 party elections, which he said undermines the party's democratic spirit.

“Let’s make peace? What peace when you were the one who stirred things up in the first place? Oh, you stabbed me and now you want peace, is it? That’s not how it works, brothers and sisters,” he said, to cheers from the crowd.

He said PKR’s internal elections have always been democratic and open, with healthy competition being a tradition since 2001.

“Since the first party election in Kemaman, we’ve been used to competing. Things get noisy, sure, but afterwards, we just go back to doing our work,” he said.

However, he expressed concern over what he described as systematic efforts to sideline certain leaders at the branch level through a ‘black and white list’.

“If the election etiquette is upheld, no one gets deeply hurt. But when there’s a list of who should be dropped, that goes against the party’s spirit,” he said.

Rafizi stressed that every member has the right to choose any leader without pressure or top-down interference.

“We are a democratic party. If you like someone, go ahead. If you want to vote for someone, do it. But don’t try to cut down those at the top by starting with the branches,” he said.

He also rejected claims that his vocal stance would divide the party, insisting that speaking the truth is part of PKR’s core struggle.

“We were taught to speak the truth, to be brave because we are right and to speak up for the weak if they are on the side of truth,” he said.

Rafizi said the struggle within the party should never be driven by fear or the desire for positions.

“If you’re afraid of taking risks, then don’t talk about struggle. If, after forming the government, everyone suddenly becomes cowards, then that’s not the PKR we know,” he added.

He described his move to raise internal issues as a form of political courage that may be unpopular but necessary to preserve the party’s principles.

“This is actually a do-or-die move in politics. Some asked me, ‘Are you crazy?’ But I said this is about the party’s dignity and decorum,” he said.

Rafizi also advised party members to return to PKR’s core values — fighting for truth, rejecting fear and respecting differences.

“This party endured despite oppression and imprisonment because we have that spirit. The spirit of struggle that does not waver,” he concluded.