[Tee tiong huat]

Malaysia's Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has resigned from the Cabinet after his defeat in the contest for deputy presidency in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's party Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) last weekend.

Rafizi said his resignation will take effect from Jun 17 and that he will be clearing leave from Wednesday until Jun 16. He added that his responsibility as Economy Minister "has been fulfilled completion of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13)", which will be presented at the upcoming parliamentary session plan emphasises "comprehensive educational reforms, including several structural changes involving Ministry of Education", he said.
"I hope the Cabinet will maintain some of the bold reforms related to Ministry of Education in RMK13, even though I will no longer be part of the Cabinet."

Efforts to enhance the robustness of Malaysia's economic structure & achieve high-income status are ongoing, he added. "We must continue to make sound long-term decisions, even if they are challenging complex, for the sake of future generations." In a statement to the media on Wednesday (May 28), Rafizi said he has submitted his resignation letter from the Cabinet to PM Anwar. "I entered politics to cultivate a new political culture grounded accountability and people's mandate. My recent defeat in PKR elections signifies I no longer possess the party's mandate to translate PKR's people-centric agenda into govt programmes," he said.

"As practised in countries that uphold democratic principles, leaders who lose in party elections should make way for the victors to assume roles in the govt."
The 47-year-old Member of Parliament for Pandan constituency had earlier pledged to resign if he lost the PKR deputy presidency. About 2 hours after Rafizi's announcement, Nik Nazmi, 43, said in a Facebook post, he submitted his resignation from Cabinet to Anwar on Wednesday and will be on leave from Thursday until Jul 3. He said his appointment to Cabinet in Dec 2022, he has "worked tirelessly to implement much-needed reforms". However, he recognised his previous position as PKR vice-president "was a key consideration in my Cabinet appointment". "As I have failed to defend my party post during its recent elections, I have decided to resign as a Minister." The Setiawangsa Member of Parliament said he looks forward to returning to the backbench & focussing on his constituency work.

After Rafizi's defeat last Friday night, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would not ask for ministerial posts, but would gladly accept them if given. “That (possible vacant position) is their (PKR’s) right. We cannot interfere,
we know the limits to our requests. But, if the post is given to UMNO, we will accept it with open arms," said Ahmad Zahid, who is a deputy prime minister.
UMNO is a key partner in Anwar's unity govt. Analysts earlier told CNA that Nurul Izzah's victory and Rafizi's subsequent resignation would leave Anwar with a political conundrum due to heightened division that could see Rafizi and his key supporters leaving the party. They drew parallels to how Anwar’s former Number Two Azmin Ali resigned from PKR in 2020.

Rafizi has no shortage of suitors. Annuar Musa, supreme council member of the biggest opposition (green party)
Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), has urged Rafizi via a statement on his Facebook page to join the opposition coalition for the next national polls due by 2028. At same time, Anwar will have a hole to fill in his Cabinet, with Economy Ministry spearheading key initiatives like Johor-S'pore Special Economic Zone.

Nurul Izzah has said she is not keen on a Cabinet post if she clinches the deputy presidency. While Anwar may be keen for her to join the Cabinet to shore up PKR’s quota, doing so could exacerbate nepotism claims, observers said.

“I RESPECT HIM DEEPLY”, SAYS NURUL IZZAH. Posting on Facebook. In Rafizi’s statement, Nurul Izzah described him as have a mind that is “source of strength”, whether in govt or not. She said his ideas will not be forgotten will continue to be refined & implemented, they are “what is best for M'sia”. She said he introduced ideas & policies have reshaped our discourse, especially in governance, transparency and economic justice. I respect him deeply,” she wrote. Nurul Izzah said that her focus remains on strengthening the party by ensuring its top leadership is accountable.

“It is our responsibility to remind each other that we must not stray from the values and principles we have long upheld and fought for,” she said. Nurul Izzah said the party would be introducing mandatory training for all party leaders on laws related to anti-money laundering, corruption and tax compliance, at both the central and branch levels. In a statement released on Wednesday night, M'sia's PMs' Office said PM Anwar had received resignation and leave requests from both Rafizi and Niz Nazmi. It added that upon careful consideration, PM Anwar agreed to approve the request for leave. "Any further decision associated with this will be announced subsequently by the PM" the statement said.