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PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, has expressed dismay following the leak of a confidential letter he sent to party President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the party’s Secretary-General.
The letter, in which Rafizi conveyed his decision not to officiate the upcoming Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) and Wanita wings' congresses, was intended to remain private. However, its contents were circulated publicly, sparking fresh concerns over internal party discipline.
“I only sent the letter to two individuals – the President and the Secretary-General. How could a confidential letter like that be leaked?” Sinar Harian cited him asking during a 'Jelajah Hiruk' event at the Taman Cempaka Community Hall on Sunday.
Rafizi described the leak as unethical and symptomatic of a broader disregard for organisational principles within the party. He lamented that such actions reflect a willingness among some party members to flout proper decorum for political advantage.
The former Minister also recalled a similar incident in 2019, when another letter he had written to Anwar was similarly leaked and used to stir internal controversy.
“In 2019, I also wrote to Datuk Seri Anwar, warning him to be cautious of certain characters around him whom I viewed as threats to party stability. That letter too was leaked and turned into a polemic,” he said.
Rafizi clarified that his decision to skip the congresses was based on principle and not personal sentiment.
“I have made my decision. I will not attend. I am willing to bear the consequences, so long as I do not legitimise what is wrong,” he asserted.
On Sunday, PKR Secretary-General Fuziah Salleh urged Rafizi to reconsider, citing the party’s longstanding tradition of having its Deputy President officiate the AMK and Wanita congresses.
However, Rafizi explained that his stance was a response to procedural breaches in the party’s recent activities, particularly the announcement of the Sabah state election machinery launch.
“There was no meeting, no official notification. Suddenly a poster appears, announcing that Nurul Izzah and Amiruddin will launch the election machinery on the same date and time as my scheduled programme,” he stated.
Such unilateral decisions, he said, place grassroots leaders in an awkward position and expose weaknesses in party communication and governance.
“We must follow procedures, we must respect decorum. If everything is done on a whim, how are we to manage the party properly?” he asked.
Rafizi maintained that his actions were not aimed at obstructing others but were instead intended to uphold discipline and respect for the party's established structures.
“If people want a new Deputy President so badly, go ahead. If they want to appoint Izzah or Amiruddin to lead the launch, that’s their prerogative. I won’t stand in the way,” he said pointedly.
He further warned against normalising misconduct for the sake of political expediency, particularly in the lead-up to the party’s internal elections.
“We were taught in this party that if something is wrong, we must speak up. We must not normalise wrongdoing,” he emphasised.
Rafizi concluded by stressing the importance of consistency in political leadership, regardless of whether one is in government or opposition.
“We cannot have two sets of standards – one when we’re in opposition and another when we’re in government. That is not the reformist culture we champion,” he said. - May 19. 2025