Vanguard or victim? Rafizi closing the door on himself
From Jeffri Saling
I read Terence Netto's defence of outgoing economy minister Rafizi Ramli with some amusement.
He has gone to lengths to portray Rafizi as a gallant hero who stepped down in a valiant effort to stem the tide against those who would compromise the principles of 'reformasi'.
While I would never challenge Rafizi's great contributions to the party and the country, I am also equally sure that they are being exaggerated.
How visible was he as economy minister these past two and a half years? What did he really do?
Is he really that approachable, because the feedback, even from his supporters, is often that he is aloof.
How come his 'reformasi' principles weren't offended until he himself tasted defeat in the party polls? This isn't even the first time he reacted in a churlish manner, taking a step back when his contributions are needed.
I wonder how staff members feel about his move, given that he has left them jobless.
Given that he is an acclaimed vanguard of the reform movement, is it not immature and irresponsible of him to walk away when he is most needed?
Let's not forget that the party leaders attempted to work with him after the polls.
Now he is standing in the corner playing the victim. Does this really help the cause he professes to be fighting for?
I fear that Rafizi is closing the door on himself.
Jeffri Saling is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
20 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
China, South Korea must safeguard free trade, Xi tells Lee
Seoul has long trod a fine line between top trading partner China and defence guarantor the US. (Links pic) BEIJING : Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung today to work with Beijing to uphold free trade and defend 'multilateralism', state media said. 'In a phone call with Lee, Xi urged Beijing and Seoul to 'inject more certainty into regional and international situations',' Xinhua said, as well as to 'promote strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level'. 'A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China–South Korea relationship aligns with the trend of the times,' Xi said. 'Close bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination should be maintained to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, ensuring the stability and smooth functioning of global and regional industrial and supply chains,' the Chinese leader added. South Korea's new centre-left leader was elected in a landslide last week after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. Seoul has long trod a fine line between top trading partner China and defence guarantor the US. Relations suffered under Lee's predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, who cleaved close to the US and sought to improve ties with former colonial master Japan. However, both countries' export-driven economies have now found themselves in the crosshairs of US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz. Lee hinted on the campaign trail that he would seek to improve ties with Beijing. He has also raised alarm by saying that a future conflict between China and Taiwan would not be South Korea's concern.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
From interest to integrity: Rethinking the ethics of investment in Timor-Leste's Asean — Khoo Ying Hooi
JUNE 10 — As Timor-Leste prepares to become Asean's 11th member state by October 2025, the moment is marked not only by celebration but by heightened global attention. The announcement has sparked enthusiasm among investors and development partners. For many, this signals a new chapter; a nation once ravaged by violence now standing as a sovereign, democratic partner within South-east Asia's most prominent regional institution. Yet, beneath this celebratory mood lies the need for reflection, particularly about the kind of economic future Timor-Leste is stepping into and the principles that should guide it. Timor-Leste's entry into Asean is more than ceremonial. It carries implications for regional integration, investment opportunities, and geopolitical engagement. The Asean Economic Community (AEC) opens pathways to trade, capital flows, and partnerships. Already, there is visible momentum. From oil and gas to agriculture and tourism, sectors once seen as remote or underdeveloped are now being reframed as opportunities. The government, for its part, has reformed investment laws, offering fiscal incentives and promoting development zones such as the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse to attract foreign capital. This optimism is both necessary and welcome. As one of the poorest countries in Asia, Timor-Leste needs sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Nearly half of its 1.3 million population still lives below the poverty line, and the country relies heavily on its Petroleum Fund to finance state operations. Diversifying the economy is not merely an ambition; it is a necessity. At the same time, such economic enthusiasm must be tempered with caution. Development is never neutral. The way investments are shaped, who benefits, and how power is distributed all have long-term consequences. Timor-Leste's political system, though democratic, is still evolving. Factionalism among veteran resistance leaders continues to dominate the political landscape, and institutional capacity remains uneven. In this environment, foreign economic interests, however well-intentioned, can unintentionally reinforce elite networks, reduce transparency, or contribute to unequal development outcomes if safeguards are not in place. The controversy surrounding the Tasi Mane petroleum infrastructure project serves as a reminder. Envisioned as a transformative national initiative, it has raised concerns around transparency, feasibility, and environmental impact. Civil society actors, such as La'o Hamutuk, have been vocal in calling for greater accountability and long-term thinking. These debates reflect a maturing public discourse in Timor-Leste, where development is not blindly embraced but interrogated for its social and ecological consequences. Looking beyond the domestic, Timor-Leste's geopolitical location adds another layer of complexity. Situated between Australia and Indonesia, with growing engagement from China and Japan, the country finds itself at a strategic crossroads. Chinese-supported infrastructure projects, including roads, public buildings, and telecommunications, have expanded Dili's physical and digital connectivity. Yet, this has also sparked discussions about influence, debt, and long-term alignment. Similar trends can be observed across Asean, where strategic competition plays out through infrastructure, investment, and technology. A view of Dili, Timor-Leste. Situated between Australia and Indonesia, with growing engagement from China and Japan, the country finds itself at a strategic crossroads. — Unsplash pic/Jaime Gusmao As Timor-Leste integrates further into Asean, these dynamics are expected to intensify. Business decisions will no longer be purely commercial; they will intersect with diplomacy, ideology, and regional positioning. In this light, ethical business is not merely a moral choice but a political and strategic imperative. Companies and states must approach Timor-Leste not as an economic frontier to be 'tapped,' but as a partner in shaping a just and resilient regional future. This is particularly important when considering Timor-Leste's demographics. Over 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 25. For these young citizens, the promise of Asean integration will only be meaningful if it translates into tangible benefits such as quality education, decent employment, accessible healthcare, and opportunities to participate in shaping their country's direction. Investments that fail to consider this human element may appear successful on paper but ultimately fall short in practise. Timor-Leste's cultural and historical context also requires careful consideration. The country's post-colonial identity, shaped by Portuguese heritage and a long struggle for independence, demands development that is grounded in local contexts and culturally sensitive. In sectors such as tourism or agriculture, the commodification of tradition or memory without community ownership can undermine the very dignity and sovereignty that development is meant to uphold. None of this is to suggest that investors or regional partners should stay away. Quite the opposite. Timor-Leste needs and welcomes engagement. But this moment calls for a more thoughtful approach. Ethical investment does not mean avoiding profit or suppressing ambition. It means aligning commercial objectives with values of transparency, inclusion, and sustainability. It means co-designing development projects with local communities, ensuring open and competitive procurement, and supporting institutional capacity so that Timor-Leste can be an equal participant, not merely a recipient. This spirit of shared responsibility resonates with Asean's own vision for the future. Under the Asean Community Vision 2045, member states commit to promoting a people-centred, inclusive, and sustainable regional community. Timor-Leste's membership offers an opportunity to translate these ideals into practise. The country's experience, resilience, youthful population, and vibrant civil society can enrich Asean, just as Asean can support Timor-Leste's aspirations. That support, however, must be more than symbolic. It must include technical assistance for regulatory frameworks, capacity-building for public institutions, and platforms for civil society to engage meaningfully in regional dialogue. Investors and regional stakeholders must also recognise this moment as one that calls for long-term partnerships, rather than quick wins. Timor-Leste stands at a threshold, not only for Asean membership but also for defining the contours of its economic future. This is a moment of immense promise, but it must also be handled with care. The hope is not to discourage investment, but to encourage better investment; investment that listens, shares, and commits to the idea that growth is most sustainable when it is just. As we look ahead to October 2025 and beyond, the challenge is clear. Timor-Leste's admission into Asean must not be reduced to a diplomatic checkbox or an investment trend. It must be embraced as a shared responsibility to build a future that benefits all, from the rural youth in Lautém to the policymaker in Dili. Only then can this moment become more than a milestone; only then can it become a model. * Khoo Ying Hooi, PhD, is an associate professor at Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Open debate signals Malaysia's maturing democracy, says BBC producer
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Minderjeet Kaur, FMT Text Size: BBC's Charlie Taylor has commended Malaysia for its 'maturing democracy', saying a big part of the freedom of speech afforded to Malaysians was in being able to speak truth to power. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's growing press freedom tells of its maturing democracy, says Charlie Taylor, producer of BBC World Questions, ahead of tonight's first-ever public debate show in the country. Taylor, who has been with BBC for three decades, said the broadcaster has held similar events in Seoul, Tokyo, Cape Town and Lithuania. Advertisement He said Malaysia, the current Asean chair, stands out for its open, on-the-record debate, something not all countries in Southeast Asia permit. 'Not every country in Southeast Asia could do it. They don't all have the freedoms that you have in Malaysia where you can allow a sort of open debate to take part,' he told FMT in an interview. 'I think, having met quite a few Malaysians in the last few days, people are fairly forthright. It's hard to find someone without an opinion,' he added. BBC's World Questions programme, a global extension of the long-running 'Question Time' in the UK, will be recorded before a live audience at 6pm today, at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre. He said the forum was about empowering local voices for a global audience. 'My understanding is that freedoms here (in Malaysia) have increased over recent years and testament to that is the fact that we have been welcomed in to do our debate—an open debate,' Taylor told FMT in an interview. 'The prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) said he wants to see Malaysia as a maturing democracy. That maturing democracy is going on, and a big part of that is freedom of speech and being able to speak truth to power,' he added. Taylor said the format allows the public to pose questions to a panel of prominent political and public figures on national and international issues. The panellists are deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living Fuziah Salleh, Tricia Yeoh from the University of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics and International Relations, Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, a former deputy unity minister, and Vilashini Somiah, head of Universiti Malaya's gender studies programme. The forum will be chaired by veteran BBC journalist, Jonny Diamond. Taylor said the BBC did not come to Malaysia at the government's invitation but selected the country for its regional importance and openness to public discourse. 'No one approached us. We thought it was time,' Taylor said. 'We do 12 editions of this programme a year, and we move it around so we get different perspectives from different places.' Taylor said the programme's main objective was to allow local people to raise their questions on a global platform. 'We want to open a window on Malaysia so people get a deeper insight. 'We don't really decide what the questions are. The audience does,' he said, adding that questions may relate to any topic that may affect the nation, including corruption and tariffs. World Questions has been running since 2015, although it builds on a BBC tradition that dates back 60 to 70 years, he said. Taylor said the country's political and media landscape makes this the right time for such a forum. 'We want to open a window on a fascinating country and we want to hear people discuss their ideas in front of people who have different opinions. 'So we hope to have a difference of opinion, not argument and to listen to other people properly with respect,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
