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PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has denied speculation that he planned to resign from his post or vacate his office, saying such rumours are unfounded and part of a broader attempt to sideline him from the party’s top leadership.
In a detailed timeline shared via X, Rafizi asserted that recent claims regarding Nurul Izzah Anwar’s candidacy for the deputy presidency—purportedly to fill a supposed impending vacancy—were untrue.
“I have never drafted a resignation letter, nor stated that I would not be contesting. The justification that Nurul Izzah entered the race to prevent a leadership vacuum is simply false,” he wrote.
Rafizi recounted key events, including a meeting with party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in April, where he was encouraged to defend his position and remain in cabinet.
“On 22 April, I informed the President that I was open to not contesting if it would help calm internal tensions, but he disagreed and urged me to stay on,” he said.
The timeline describes a series of events starting with internal election irregularities and culminating in heightened tension within PKR's leadership.
Rafizi also addressed speculation about his absence from the party's central operations. “I never packed up to vacate my office. It remains filled with files to this day. After taking a short break to meet grassroots members, I resumed my ministerial duties as usual,” he said.
He noted that internal criticism of his stance and independence has long made him a target within the party.
“I am not known for diplomacy in political games. I’ve consistently opposed factions within the party that, in my view, do not reflect the reformist ideals PKR was built upon,” he said.
Rafizi accused certain factions of promoting money politics and power-grabbing practices, which he claimed run contrary to PKR’s founding principles.
“In every party election, these groups unite to reject candidates like myself. I’ve been accused of harming the party merely for calling out these practices,” he said.
He revealed that during a final meeting on 20 May, Nurul Izzah expressed concern about the new leadership lineup and requested his assistance post-election, hinting at a possible role for him.
“She voiced anxiety over individuals whose records, intentions and political methods she feared might damage the party and its president. Yet, by contesting alongside them, she legitimised their rise,” he stated.
“This is the true answer to the question ‘What’s behind the Hiruk?’” he added, referencing the name of his campaign.
Rafizi closed his statement with a message of resolve: “I am thankful to have passed my first test of power. Now, responsibility rests with those who chose this path. God and the people will be the true judges, beyond the chants of reformasi.” - May 23, 2025