Rafizi slammed for elitism: 'PKR doesn't belong to the inner circle alone'

New Straits Times

11-05-2025

JOHOR BARU: The behaviour of PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, which includes questioning, insulting, and making unfounded personal accusations about the victories of several PKR division chiefs, merely reflects an immature political culture.
Johor Baru PKR division chief Mohamad Taufiq Ismail said Rafizi's comments made during the podcast 'Yang Bakar Menteri' yesterday were inappropriate, prejudiced, and should not be practised by the party's top leadership.
He condemned Rafizi's statements and urged him to retract his comments and issue a public apology for the insults directed at him.
"It is regrettable that a senior leader like YB Rafizi would choose to make personal statements that are not based on facts and question my contributions that led to my selection as the Johor Baru division chief.
"Such open accusations and insults tarnish not only the reputation of individuals but also undermine the spirit of many young people and activists who are building their foundation within the party.
"This party does not belong to an elite group alone.
"It belongs to all the people who are part of it and to the members who tirelessly work at the grassroots level.
"Personal politics and elitism must not be allowed to extinguish the spirit of young people who sincerely fight for the party and the nation," he said in a statement here today.
Yesterday, Rafizi, who is also the economy minister, reportedly questioned the victories of Mohamad Taufiq and Afdlin Shauki as the PKR division chiefs of Johor Baru and Setiawangsa, respectively, during the podcast 'Yang Berhenti Menteri'.
Rafizi was reported to have described Mohamad Taufiq as an unknown "kid" with no permanent job and no record to defeat the deputy energy transition and water transformation minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, who is also the PKR strategy director and Johor Baru member of parliament.
Meanwhile, Rafizi referred to Afdlin as a "professional comedian" who defeated PKR vice president, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also the natural resources and environment minister.
Mohamad Taufiq said Rafizi's remarks and insults overlooked the reality that many young and new leaders had emerged through their own capabilities, hard work, and commitment to the party's struggle.
He said that such personal accusations and insults only weakened party unity and reflected immaturity in politics.
"For YB Rafizi's information, I am the chief of the state youth wing (AMK) and the former chief of AMK for Johor Baru in the previous term.
"Perhaps it is time for YB Rafizi to engage more frequently with grassroots leaders who are actively working for the party.
"I was directly involved in helping Akmal Nasir win in the 14th General Election (GE14) and GE15, and I have previously held the positions of secretary and organising secretary, actively serving at the grassroots level and contributing to the reform movement, particularly among the younger generation," he said.
He said it was very superficial to assess a leader's qualifications solely based on their employment status or personal relationships with higher-ups.
"For the record, I have been employed as an automotive mechanic at a family-owned company for the past eight years; however, YB Rafizi's accusation that I am a kid with no permanent job is an insult.
"I am not an 'unknown kid with no permanent job and no record in the party' as depicted, but rather a grassroots activist who has served, fought, and built the trust of party members while holding key positions at the branch and state levels, ultimately being entrusted with the mandate as the Johor Baru division chief today.