Rafizi's criticisms of leaders: Strategy or desperate move?

Sinar Daily

21-05-2025

Rafizi's boldness deserves recognition, but without a strategy for unity, it could turn into a double-edged sword, either becoming a catalyst for reform or trigger division within the reformist movement.
Rafizi's actions may also affect PKR's unity and project a negative image among supporters, particularly fence-sitters who may now lean more towards Nurul Izzah due to her calm and dignified approach, says analyst.
SHAH ALAM - Datuk Rafizi Ramli's move to openly criticise leaders within and outside PKR through his roadshow "Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri?" has raised questions about his intentions and the impact on both the party and his own position ahead of the party elections on May 24.
The move has sparked speculation on whether Rafizi was formulating a long-term strategy or simply acting defensively to retain his post as the party's deputy president.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia associate professor Dr Mazlan Ali said Rafizi's open critiques could backfire, handing political rivals the upper hand.
He said Rafizi should not raise internal issues publicly and instead resolve them through proper channels, as such actions could provide "ammunition" for political enemies to strike at both PKR and the unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Rafizi's actions may also affect PKR's unity and project a negative image among supporters, particularly fence-sitters who may now lean more towards Nurul Izzah Anwar due to her calm and dignified approach.
"Rafizi's courage and decisiveness make him a key political figure. However, excessive openness can backfire if it erodes grassroots confidence in the leadership," he said.
Mazlan added that even if Rafizi lost, the latter was expected to remain in PKR and may focus on grassroots-level activities, especially in preparation for the upcoming 16th General Election.
"Rafizi is still young and has the opportunity to contest the same or even higher positions in the next party election," he said.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) political analyst Dr Hussain Yusri Zawawi, viewed Rafizi's actions as a form of counter-hegemonic politics, born out of a deep reformist idealism.
However, he said Rafizi's approach was often perceived as a "thorn in the flesh" by some party members due to his public exposure of party weaknesses, which disrupted government machinery balance.
"Even though the criticism is grounded in idealism, it still creates a negative perception as it appears to undermine his own team," he said.
Hussain also pointed out that the return of Nurul Izzah has created not only a personality clash but also a divergence in political style and philosophy between Rafizi's technocratic style and Nurul Izzah's diplomatic approach.
"Nurul Izzah is seen as a symbolic heir of the reform movement, while Rafizi represents a modern managerial approach that is firm against conventional leadership," he said.
He added that Rafizi's boldness deserves recognition, but without a strategy for unity, that same boldness could turn into a double-edged sword, either becoming a catalyst for reform or a trigger for division within the reformist movement.