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ECONOMY Minister and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has declared his readiness to relinquish his ministerial position if he fails to retain his deputy presidency in the party elections scheduled for 23 May.
Speaking at the “Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri’ programme at Dewan Serbaguna MBSJ on Saturday, Rafizi made clear his commitment to the party and constituents.
“If I lose, I will resign as minister. I will return to being an ordinary Member of Parliament,” he said.
He added that he would remain as the MP for Pandan to continue fulfilling his responsibilities to the electorate.
“I also use this opportunity to help the party connect with the youth, who have increasingly drifted away from PKR since the 15th General Election,” he said.
Rafizi is facing a direct challenge for the deputy presidency from Nurul Izzah Anwar, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who submitted her nomination on Friday.
Responding to her decision to contest, Rafizi expressed respect for her candidacy, stating that every member has the right to vie for leadership positions.
“Nurul Izzah has her justification for why she should contest, and we must respect that. Everyone has made their contributions to the party,” he said during the ‘Yang Bakar Menteri’ podcast on Saturday evening.
The minister further voiced concern that the race could potentially be used by certain quarters to stir political discord.
Nominations for PKR’s 2025–2028 leadership term closed at 11.59 pm on Friday, confirming that the deputy presidency will be contested directly between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah. Anwar Ibrahim remains uncontested as party president.
A total of twelve individuals have submitted nominations for the party’s four vice-presidential posts, including incumbents Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability; Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation; Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun; and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, political secretary to the Finance Minister, stands as the sole nominee for the Youth Chief position.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek will contest the post of Women’s Chief against Ampang Member of Parliament Rodziah Ismail.
The PKR National Congress, along with the Youth and Women’s wings gatherings, will be held from 22 to 24 May in Johor Bahru. Voting for the central leadership will take place on 23 May. - May 11, 2025