JOHOR BARU: Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli says that he has doubts about retaining the PKR deputy president post, joking that a surprise victory in Saturday's (May 24) party polls might give him a heart attack.
Speaking at the Jelajah Hiruk final tour stop at a hotel here on Tuesday (May 20) night, Rafizi said he has accepted the likelihood of losing to challenger Nurul Izzah Anwar, hinting that the election outcome seems predetermined.
"If I suddenly win, I might have a heart attack because knowing how things have been arranged and orchestrated, the signals are clear that I will lose. And I have no problem with that," he said.
The Pandan MP told supporters that the challenge ahead requires serious resolve.
"That is why from the start I have told you that there is a need to be willing to ‘chop off heads’. Are you ready or not," he said to the crowd.
Rafizi said his expected defeat would not result from a lack of support, but from flaws within the party’s internal electoral process.
"Based on the ground surveys from various party branches, I have no issue winning. The support is there," he said.
Rafizi previously announced his readiness to step down from the Cabinet if he fails to defend the deputy presidency in the party elections.
He said this move would demonstrate respect for the grassroots mandate.
However, he added that even if he leaves the federal government, he will continue serving as an elected lawmaker.
