Rafizi-Azmin: Who is likely to survive politically? Two experts share views
SHAH ALAM - Two experts say PKR's outspoken Rafizi Ramli is popular among Malaysians and his party while Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is seen as calm, composed and with political experience to lead.
Political analyst Kartini Aboo Talib said Azmin's political career seems to be stronger as he was once the Selangor Menteri Besar and was appointed a senior minister in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration.
“Rafizi has yet to prove his leadership skills and political maturity.
“Azmin is seen as a steady and calm person, a man of action rather than reaction," the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor told Sinar Daily.
She further said Azmin has proven to govern as the menteri besar and is known to resolve issues in a systematic manner with cooperation from a team of experts.
He is also willing to listen to differing opinions, she added.
Meanwhile, Rafizi is robust and "gives an overwhelming response to a particular issue".
However, she said credit should be given where it is due to Rafizi. He is a good leader, popular among PKR members and is known to motivate younger leaders.
"He is brave and sharp too.
"I think PKR members would want Rafizi to step up and wheel PKR into a stronger party and get them prepared for the GE15,” she added.
Rafizi recently announced his return to politics and to contest the deputy president's post. He had recently called Azmin "misfit" within the party even back then, further describing Azmin as “ambitious” as he was said to be one of the men behind the Sheraton Move in 2020 that saw the collapse of the elected Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
Azmin and 10 other PKR MPs jumped ship to Bersatu to form a government with PAS, Bersatu and Barisan Nasional (BN) in 2020.
Weighing on the same issue, Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Rafizi has a better future in the political arena as he has the backing of PKR to move forward.
“Azmin could not bring his party to win the upcoming general elections as he does not have the influence to woo voters while Rafizi has a stronger base support,” he said.
However, he added both individuals share the same traits to woo audience with issues.
He said sometimes Rafizi may raise issues which may backfire while "Azmin tend to do something that could trap him."
For instance, he said he went against his leader by joining Bersatu which saw PKR losing 11 MPs during the 2020 Sheraton Move.
Commenting further, he said Rafizi's return shows he may be trying to regain popularity, to stay relevant by attacking former prime minister Najib Razak over Sapura Energy Bhd.
“However, Azmin has managed to woo foreign direct investors (FDI) into Malaysia but "he still needs to look at rakyat’s need."
He further told Sinar Daily that this could be seen as a weakness as his "silence" may be seen as him not solving the people’s problems.
When asked about who might win the number two post in PKR, Azman Awang said PKR leader Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution strength should not be underestimated.
“It is true that Rafizi is extremely popular right now but we cannot underestimate Saifuddin's chance in winning the number 2 post in PKR because both of them have different characters.
As for Azmin, he said the senior minister may not have a chance to win a parliamentary seat in the coming elections unless it focuses in fulfilling the needs of the rakyat.
