KUALA LUMPUR: Despite a resounding defeat in his bid for the PKR deputy president's post, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli says he will not dwell on the outcome.
The Economy Minister thanked his supporters, expressing profound appreciation for the everyday Malaysians who stood by him throughout the campaign. He characterised their support as "a mountain of gratitude" that only God can genuinely repay.
“I have run many election campaigns before. Never in any of them have so many nameless people echoed the message so loudly, yet the result was so resounding in its rejection," he said in a statement on X on Saturday (May 24).
"I have been very transparent and vocal in sharing my concerns on numerous issues — from the change in one-member-one-vote voting system, to the integrity of the digital voting system, to the lackadaisical efforts to resolve them.
"I can understand the frustration and disillusionment of ordinary PKR members and supporters out there. It will take time to shake off the sense that many years of dedication to PKR ideals have gone to waste," he said.
He also reflected on his more than two decades of service to the party.
"I I have spent a considerable part of my adult life—nearly 27 years, to be precise—serving the party: from running the International Free Anwar Campaign to taking on a leadership role in the PKR Youth Wing during its early years, to writing a book that explains Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s court case for the layperson.
"I left a promising corporate career at a relatively young age, at Anwar’s request, to become his Chief of Staff at the Selangor Economic Advisory Office.
"To date, I have had to endure 16 court cases — 7 criminal and 9 civil defamation suits — for exposing numerous financial scandals," he added.
Instead of expressing his disappointment, Rafizi said he instead felt a great deal of relief that he could return to living a private life, away from the shenanigans of the corridors of power.
"When I joined reformasi (before PKR was even launched), I was driven by an ideal. I wanted to see the first democratic change of government because I believe in competition.
"I believe the public deserves the best set of people to run the government. Competition promotes merit and keeps politicians on their toes. It is an antidote to rampant corruption," he said.
Rafizi said he joined PKR for such ideals, not for public office or ministerial positions, let alone financial gain.
"I understand that Anwar’s fate is intertwined with PKR’s, but I believe PKR’s relevance transcends Anwar or any one personality. Leaders come and go, but the ideal endures," he said.
He reserved his final thanks for grassroots members and supporters who continued to believe in the party’s founding vision — many of whom he said had expressed heartfelt pleas for him to stay on.
"There is hope after all,” he said simply.
Despite the setback, the veteran party leader hinted at a continuing role in public discourse, vowing not to give up on the dream of a better Malaysia.
"With more time on my hands, I am grateful that I can now spend more time with everyday Malaysians," he added.
For now, he said, he would focus on responding to the outpouring of support from the ground.
"To those who feel disappointed, all I can say is: we must trust the process. Allah knows best what is good for us,” he said.
