His remarks follow criticism from incumbent deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who accused the current youth leadership of lacking the energy and resolve shown by previous generations.
In a statement today, Izuan, who is also a candidate for the deputy chief of PKR Youth at next week’s election, defended newly elected PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim.
Kamil, an aide to party president Anwar Ibrahim in the latter’s capacity as the finance minister, won uncontested.
“Instead of questioning why Kamil won unopposed, the real issue is why no one from Rafizi’s team stepped forward to challenge him,” Izuan said.
“This election should be a platform to offer leadership, not to create division.
“Let us not forget the main objective – to invigorate the party’s branches ahead of the 16th general election.”
Izuan added that Kamil’s unopposed victory reflected a consensus among division and branch leaders that he was the best candidate to lead the youth wing for the 2025-2028 term.
On Wednesday, Rafizi urged the youth wing to revive the “fighting spirit” of its past leaders, warning that blindly following senior figures would harm the party’s future.
Over 280 election complaints reviewed
PKR election committee (JPP) chairman Dr Zaliha Mustafa said they have reviewed more than 280 complaints related to the party’s internal elections.
These complaints involved all stages of the election process – from nominations and campaigning to division-level results, reported Bernama
“I deny any claim that we are ignoring the complaints. Every one of them is being reviewed and action has been taken on some,” she said in response to criticism from Rafizi.
She described Rafizi’s view that the complaints were being mishandled as his personal opinion.
Rafizi had earlier accused Zaliha of failing to manage election irregularities at the divisional level.
PKR’s congress, including elections for the Youth and Wanita wings, will be held from May 22–24 in Johor Bahru.
The central leadership elections will be held on May 23.
Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, is challenging Rafizi for the deputy president’s post. Rafizi, who is the economy minister and Pandan MP, has said he would quit his Cabinet post and be a regular MP if he lost the post to Nurul Izzah.
There are 12 contestants for the four vice-president’s posts, including the four incumbents, federal ministers Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Chang Lih Kang as well as menteris besar Amirudin Shari and Aminuddin Harun.
Anwar retained the PKR presidency unopposed for his third and final term.