The daughter of PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged all party members to close ranks once the party polls conclude.

“A PKR unable to handle challenges lying ahead will result in us disappearing in the next five to 10 years.

“My main criticism of the electoral system is that we always end up fighting each other. We have to press forward after the polls,” she said in Negeri Sembilan today.

The PKR vice-president also urged all leaders to prepare the party in the coming 24 months for the next general election.

“In the next 24 months, we need to strengthen our efforts to win the marginal seats,” she said.

Nurul Izzah said she is also engaging with religious scholars and teachers to strengthen the party and deal with baseless accusations levelled at PKR, recalling the days when PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat stood firmly with the party in similar circumstances.

She urged party members to stand firm in their idealism, especially the party’s belief in taking care of its grassroots members, and to stay strong in the face of future challenges.

“I don’t want us to lose what we have achieved so far in the next five to 10 years. This is not about me, but our mission in championing justice,” she said.

Nurul Izzah is in a one-on-one contest with Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy presidency.

On the campaign trail, Rafizi has taken swipes at the likes of PKR vice-president contender R Ramanan and MP Hasan Karim, both of whom have publicly endorsed Nurul.

He had even at one point cynically suggested that party delegates vote for Nurul as the next PKR deputy president.

Recently, he said he would skip the Youth and Wanita congress, traditionally officiated by the deputy president, citing principles over politics.

He said his refusal stemmed from a breach of party protocol after the Sabah PKR election machinery launch was allegedly announced without prior discussion by the party’s political bureau or central leadership council.