At the risk of blowing my own trumpet, I would like to claim that I predicted and wrote about Khairy Jamaluddin joining forces with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before anyone else did.
Everybody else thought that Khairy was considering PN or opening his own party, but I thought that they were just red herrings that Khairy was throwing to distract people away from his actual ambition - which is to get himself a spot in the unity government.
That Khairy joined Anwar in a high level meeting to discuss the nation's economic direction is a sign that what I predicted will likely come to pass.
Khairy has no experience, expertise or qualification in the field of economics. Khairy does not serve in the government or even the parliament. Rafizi is not only the Minister of Economy, but he is also the PKR Deputy President. Despite that, in a high level meeting about a subject that is well within the purview of Rafizi, Anwar decided to exclude Rafizi and include Khairy.
Anwar raising the profile of Khairy while excluding Rafizi from the limelight is likely neither a mistake nor a coincidence. He is likely doing it to test the waters. If the PH rank and file do not raise a fuss about the exclusion of Rafizi and if Malaysians do not object to the inclusion of Khairy, I predict that Khairy might be elected as the Minister after the 6-state election while Rafizi might find himself relegated to a less important portfolio.
If Khairy is indeed to be joining Anwar, I predict that next move will see Khairy named as a part of PH's campaign to defend Selangor and Negeri Sembilan in the coming 6 state election.
Khairy's participation in the defense of Selangor Negeri will likely be well received by both the Menteri Besar of Selangor Amirudin Shari and Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan is Aminuddin Harun. Khairy doesn't pose a threat to their position while he is a a force to be reckoned, especially amongst younger voters. With his support, they will be in a better position to sway the tides of victory in their favour.
If PH manages to successfully defend Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, i predict that Khairy will likely be elevated as a federal minister post-election.
Word is already out that PMX Anwar Ibrahim will be reshuffling the Cabinet after the upcoming state elections.
As for Rafizi, Anwar will likely have to demote Rafizi to a less important position after he takes Khairy under his wings, not only because Rafizi has been under performing as the economic minister but because I suspect that it is Khairy that is likely to replace Rafizi as the next ecomomic minister.
Rafizi is more of a thinker than a man of action. Rafizi might be capable of coming up with new and novel ideas about the how to make our economy better in the future, but people are looking for a minister that will be able to roll his sleeves and fix the shape of the economy right now. Right now, we need an economic minister that will not just cursorily dismiss such humble issue as the price of egg and chicken, while focusing his attention on drafting a sophisticated sounding Omnibus bill about data sharing protection. Rather, we need one who will handle the price of chicken and egg, humble as it maybe, and put the more high concept affairs like the crafting of an Omnibus Bill, whatever that means, on the back burner.
Rafizi in short, is not the Economic Minister we need at the present time. One day, when Malaysia is so rich that we don't know what to do with all the money we have, Rafizi is the Economy Minister that we need. Today however, when we need to stretch the ringgit as far as we can, Rafizi is ill fitted for his role.
Will the supporters of PH raise a fuss about Rafizi being excluded or Malaysians object to the inclusion of Khairy in the unity government?
My prediction is no and no. Anwar's authority in PH and PKR is absolute. If Rafizi has fallen out of favour with Anwar or if Rafizi's performance and contribution are something that Anwar finds is not up to the mark, his relegation will likely be treated by PKR and PH as a fait accompli when it happens.
As for Khairy, after some murmur of displeasure, I predict that he will be accepted by the PH's rank and file as one of their own.
Khairy in truth, is well suited for PKR and PH. In terms of temperament, personality and ideology, PKR and PH is where someone like Khairy naturally belongs.
Khairy has also not said or done anything very objectionable to PH during his time with Umno.
As long as Khairy manages to temper the initial discontent that might arise from his inclusion within the PKR fold, in time, whatever little issues he might have had with PH in the past will be forgotten, and Khairy will be able to completely identify with the PKR rank and file just as the PKR rank and file will be able to completely identify with him.
If Khairy contributes significantly to a decisive victory for PH in the upcoming 6-state election, that he will be seen as a being a part of the team that sends PN retreating to its base in the north and east of the peninsular, likely until the next general election in 2027, will likely facilitate further his entry into PKR.
As for his friendship with Rafizi Ramli, I had also earlier predicted and wrote that if Khairy were to join Anwar, his friendship with Rafizi will likely suffer. I still maintain this view.
Rafizi clearly has a prime ministerial ambition, but if Khairy joins PH and PKR, Rafizi Prime ministerial ambition is unlikely to be fulfilled.
Rafizi and Khairy can only maintain a friendship when they are in opposite sides. When they are in the same side however, they are bound to be in enemies.
There are indeed no permanent friends or enemies in politics. Only permanent interests. The interests of Khairy and Rafizi is as such, that on the same side, they simply will not be able to remain friends.
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