PETALING JAYA: Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (pic) has vowed to resign from his Cabinet post if he fails to retain the PKR deputy presidency in the upcoming party elections.
Rafizi, who is set for a straight fight against current party vice- president Nurul Izzah Anwar for the party’s number two post, said he would accept any result gracefully and had no issue continuing his role as Pandan MP and as a government backbencher.
“I’ve spoken to my colleagues in the government, including those from GPS [Gabungan Parti Sarawak] and Barisan Nasional. I assured them this internal party contest won’t disrupt the administration.
“There will be no chaos, no mischief and no threat to stability.
“If I lose, I will step down. I’ll remain as a regular MP, and without the responsibilities of a ministerial post, I can fully focus on my parliamentary role,” he said during his Yang Bakar Mentri podcast which aired on May 10.
Rafizi also spoke about the limitations he faced as a member of the administration, explaining that he was bound by government ethics and unable to speak freely on certain matters.
“Even if I disagreed, for example, with the reappointment of Tan Sri Azam Baki as MACC chief commissioner, I can’t express it openly because I’m part of the administration.
“It would breach ethics, as the decision was made by the Prime Minister. So I have to keep quiet,” he said.
Citing another instance, Rafizi added that he could not openly comment if he disagreed with Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh on various issues, as such remarks could lead to disharmony among Cabinet members and trigger unnecessary media attention.
Rafizi said he respected Nurul Izzah’s decision to contest for the deputy presidency and acknowledged her right to do so.
“Nurul Izzah has her reasons for contesting, and we must respect that. Everyone has made their contributions to the party,” he said.
Nominations for PKR’s 2025-2028 term closed on Friday, confirming a one-on-one contest between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah for the deputy presidency.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains uncontested as party president.
