Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has signaled his readiness to relinquish his Cabinet role should he fail to retain his position as Deputy President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in the upcoming internal party elections set for May 24. His decision reflects a commitment to uphold the mandate of party grassroots and an understanding of the responsibilities tied to party leadership.
While making his intentions clear, Rafizi affirmed that his resignation from the ministerial role would not affect his ongoing duties as the Member of Parliament for Pandan. He noted that he had already communicated his position to key leaders within the Unity Government, including members of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Barisan Nasional. Assurances were given that the internal PKR contest would remain a democratic process that poses no risk to national political stability or the functioning of the current government.
Rafizi made these remarks during a live session of the "Yang Bakar Menteri" podcast, where he explained that a potential exit from the Cabinet would allow him greater freedom to voice his opinions on sensitive matters. As a minister, he acknowledged, his public statements are limited by administrative ethics and government cohesion. He pointed to past instances where he was unable to express disagreement openly, such as with appointments made at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
The upcoming party race is set to be a significant one, especially after Nurul Izzah Anwar, a former Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai and daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, officially confirmed her candidacy for the Deputy President role. The contest between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah has generated considerable attention as it may shape the future direction of PKR’s leadership.
Despite the high stakes, Rafizi reiterated that the party election should not be viewed as a threat to the Unity Government. Instead, he described it as a healthy exercise in democratic renewal within PKR. He also expressed a sense of personal relief should he lose, suggesting that stepping away from the demanding role of a minister could bring more clarity and freedom in his political journey.
As the party election approaches, Rafizi’s stance has added a layer of transparency and accountability to the process, reinforcing his belief that leadership must always be answerable to the party’s grassroots.
Information Source: Astro Awani
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