According to the maverick PKR vice-president, the bureau sank into disarray after de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was jailed in February 2015.
“Even if the political bureau has achieved agreement on something, a certain dissatisfied member will not respect the decision and will raise the issue again at the next meeting to seek a change,” said Rafizi, in explaining the reason for his frequent absences at the bureau’s meetings.
Rafizi gave two examples of how senior PKR leaders disregarded decisions of the political bureau.
In one instance, during the Sarawak state elections in May last year, the agreement on seats allocation among member parties of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which had been signed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, was ignored.
Then, during the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections last year, Rafizi said PKR dragged its feet in assisting the Amanah candidates.
He said he was forced, as party secretary-general at the time, to direct the party machinery to get on the ground to assist Amanah without waiting for instructions from the political bureau which did not arrive.
Yesterday, PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin lashed out at Rafizi for questioning the decision of the party to hold negotiations with PAS on an electoral pact, and pointed out that the former had not attended meetings of the bureau for a long time.
Rafizi said he took that step to avoid prolonging differences in opinions which were frustrating the party’s preparations to face the 14th general election (GE14).
Recently, he revealed the top PKR leadership was split two ways on whether the party should continue the talks with PAS, although the Islamist party was not part of PH and had already severed all forms of cooperation with PKR.
Rafizi, in a statement, named the leaders who either favoured or opposed pursuing cooperation with PAS, adding that the confusion could only be resolved by bringing the issue to the grassroots at a special congress.
The proposal was rejected by PKR leaders who were against Rafizi, including Azmin who supported the talks with PAS.
‘My political future uncertain’
Rafizi said he frequently issued reports in carrying out his duties for the party, including the activities of Invoke Malaysia, the think tank he started to collect data on voter sentiments to guide PKR.
According to him, since Azmin was allowed to negotiate with PAS to seek an electoral understanding to avoid three-cornered contests in GE14, he had begun building a campaign involving marginal seats through Invoke.
“I might not have attended meetings of the political bureau, but that does not mean I am in the dark about party developments because I meet with the president, secretary-general… every week,” said Rafizi who stepped down as secretary-general last November.
He did not mention Azmin as among those he often met for discussions.
Rafizi said the continuing differences in opinions in PKR even while the general election drew nearer convinced him that only a special congress could calm all sides on the issue of negotiations with PAS.
On the criticisms hurled against him by other PKR leaders, he said he would not comment on them.
He pointed out his political future was in doubt because of the jail sentence he was facing.
Last week, the High Court rejected his appeal to set aside his conviction under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for revealing the audit report on 1MDB, and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment.
He also faced a charge under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (Bafia) for revealing the bank statements of the National Feedlot Corp (NFC).
“I realise many feel I am a threat to their political positions,” said Rafizi.
“I am unsure whether I will remain in politics after serving my sentence (if I lose the appeal) because I can’t see into the future.
“Because of that, I should not be seen as a political threat to my friends; just someone who is used to voicing out when I have a different view.”
