Ramanan denies wrongdoing in PKR polls, dismisses viral video
SHAH ALAM: PKR vice-president candidate Datuk Seri R Ramanan has denied any wrongdoing following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing him handing cash to another individual in front of a business premises.
The Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives clarified that the video was an old recording and described it as a malicious slander resurfaced by irresponsible parties ahead of the party's elections.
'That happened after the Selangor state election. The place shown is right outside my service centre, and I was handing money to my own staff. If you look closely, the door clearly displays the Pakatan Harapan logo. So what's the issue?
'If we're willing to stoop to this level of dirty politics, it's very bad. This is slander... I hope those behind it learn a lesson. This is really bad,' he said when met after officiating the Tekun Nasional Basic Entrepreneurship Seminar here today.
A 34-second video clip had gone viral showing Ramanan handing money to an individual in front of a premises before walking away.
On the ongoing party polls, Ramanan, who is also PKR's deputy information chief, said that all candidates should campaign with decorum, refraining from insults or personal attacks, and instead focus on grassroots engagement.
'This is a party election, not a general election. We need to really connect with the grassroots, meet them in person, wherever they are and listen to their struggles, grievances and hopes,' he said.
Ramanan also addressed backlash over a previous statement in which he expressed confidence that PKR could secure up to 80 seats in the 16th general election if Nurul Izzah Anwar wins the Deputy President post, saying that the remark had been misinterpreted.
He explained that the figure was simply an optimistic target, inspired by Nurul Izzah's proven track record in leading the party to win 50 seats in GE14.
'It's a hope. So is it wrong to have hope?' he added.
The PKR polls feature a head-to-head contest for the Deputy President post between Nurul Izzah and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, while incumbent President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains unchallenged.
PKR's National Congress, including the Angkatan Muda Keadilan and Women's wings, is scheduled to take place from May 22 to 24 in Johor Bahru, with central leadership elections held on May 23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Boycott PKR in GE16 greets Nurul Izzah's victory; grassroots foresee rot from prevalent family ties
WHAT an anti-climax! Instead of being jubilant, many Reformasi diehards who have been vital lynchpins to PKR's very existence have vowed to disassociate themselves from the party which they claimed have switched to self-destruction mode following Nurul Izzah Anwar's victory against incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli in the PKR deputy presidency race. This came about as Malaysiakini broke the news citing party election committee chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa as having announced that Nurul Izzah has toppled the Economy Minister with 9,803 votes. Tak rasmi: Rafizi kalah pemilihan PKR — Malaysiakini (BM) (@mkini_bm) May 23, 2025 Although Dr Zaliha did not state the number of votes polled by Rafizi, it was revealed in the party's Borang Keputusan (Borang 14) that the Pandan MP garnered only 3,866 votes which means the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim won by an overwhelming majority of 5,937 votes or 60.6% margin. Sarcasm of sorts filled the news portal's comments section with the most popular being 'hopefully later, Nurul Izzah's other sisters will contest for the party's vice-presidency'. Another insinuated that her younger siblings may even vie for head of PKR's youth wing or even PMX's son-in-law (Nurul Izzah's husband) as a member of the party's Central Leadership Council (MPP). On a more serious note, many anticipated the party to languish from nepotism, hence wanting to disassociate themselves from PKR come the 16th General Election (GE16). Boycotting the party or abstain from voting in GE16 which means turning their back to the PKR-led Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition would point to PMX being a one-term premier, insinuated one disgruntled grassroot member. One commenter expressed disbelief at how PMX used to hit out at twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for promoting his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as his successor yet he (PMX) himself is doing the exact same thing now. Another contended that it has become clear why prominent leaders like Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor (a founding PJR member) or Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (former deputy president) eventually left the party to join the opposition while one is bracing for PKR/ruling PH coalition to come under fire from their own supporters. 'There's no need to await the official results for the writing was already on the wall … I wish PH a happy return to being an opposition … confirm you shall be a flop in GE16; you've lost my vote,' fumed one supposedly staunch PKR backer. While it may be too soon to gauge the anticipated devastation, one 'overseas-stationed' commenter summed up that his entire family members who are still residing in Malaysia will no longer vote for Nurul Izzah, her father, her mother 'or the party now gasping under the weight of your entitlement!' – May 24, 2025
Focus Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Kadir Jasin evaluates if PKR has made a ‘prized catch' by netting the nomadic-natured Tengku Zafrul
INVESTMENT, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has the moral obligation to give up his ministerial portfolio if he ever wishes to leave UMNO given that position was accorded to him as a UMNO member. By not resigning, he contributed a ministerial position to PKR while UMNO lost a ministerial seat at least for the time being, according to veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin. 'We shall wait and see whether Tengku Zafrul's leap is just a puppet show or causes open war between UMNO and PKR,' he penned on his Facebook page. 'Will UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi simply ask for his party's cabinet quota to be maintained or will he object to PKR accepting Tengku Zafrul? Will he prioritise UMNO's dignity or maintain the lifeline given to him by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?' Delving farther, Kadir deemed Tengku Zafrul as 'not a big catch for PKR' but on the contrary, would 'ease UMNO's burden' given the many stories of external interference regarding his entry into politics and his appointment as finance minister in 2020. 'He was appointed a senator and finance minister during the tenure of backdoor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's government but his political adventure was never brilliant,' recounted the national journalism laureate. 'A job hopper' 'He lost the 15th General Election in 2022 to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Amanah) but won a seat in the UMNO Supreme Council in 2023.' This led to the political critic in Kadir taking a swipe as Tengku Zafrul for contending that 'his image is also not as brilliant in the corporate world'. 'He is known as a job-hopper. His curriculum vitae since 1996 shows that he has changed jobs and positions 14 times. This means that he has not spent more than two years in each position,' revealed Kadir. 'As a financial specialist, Tengku Zafrul must have made mathematical calculations and statistical analysis on his chances of remaining in UMNO and moving to PKR.' With his senatorship expiring end-2025, Kadir nevertheless described as 'a slap in the face' foe Tengku Zafrul the very fact that he was 'demoted' to be a MITI minister when his ambition has been to retain his finance minister portfolio in the Madani government. 'Although the one who took over the position of Finance Minister was Anwar himself, Tengku Zafrul knows that Anwar is not an economist or financial expert,' Kadir noted. 'But it's nevertheless painful when Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, a technocrat like him, is appointed as the Second Finance Minister'. Hidden agenda Reviewing the various wild predictions and conspiracy theories surrounding Tengku Zafrul's actions, Kadir said some had commented that he (Tengku Zafrul) is less confident of UMNO's leadership or it could be that Anwar has promised something better. 'As a result, speculation arose that a Selangor Legislative Assembly by-election could be orchestrated to allow him to win easily and subsequently be appointed as Menteri Besar,' shared the former group editor-in-chief of mainstream New Straits Times. 'This has caused several quarters in PKR, including the current Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to feel the heat although he had eventually denied such speculation. 'Moreover, the very fact that Tengku Zafrul chose to bid farewell to UMNO and offer himself to PKR occurred almost simultaneously with the Cabinet resignations of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and ex-vice president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has caused many to assume there's hidden agenda in the pipeline.' At the end of the day, Kadir regarded Tengku Zafrul's actions have somehow brought to light the practice of party hopping that the Madani government has been being trying hard to curtail. 'Not to mention when it involves the PM's own party and that of the Deputy PM – one between the teacher and the pupil. We shall wait for the next chapter to unfold,' added Kadir. – June 3, 2025
Focus Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
PKR grassroot member moots drastic call for Nurul Izzah, mum Wan Azizah to step down
IF ever PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wishes to restore his party's image following the recent controversial deputy president contest, Nurul Izzah Anwar should relinquish her position to silent the opposition's accusations of nepotism until the 16th General Election (GE16). Such is the thought of the party's PKR Shah Alam member 𝖠𝖿𝗋𝖺𝗅'𝗌 (@AfralAbdullah) who further wanted the position to be re-contested by opening it to qualified candidates. 'Offering Rafizi (defeated incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli) the second deputy president role is not a solution,' he penned on X, alluding to political analyst Prof James Chin who deemed that Nurul Izzah 'cannot have an appointed deputy president because she lacks legitimacy'. POV Salam Menjelang Subuh. Semuga Subuh ini membawa ketenangan & keberkahan buat sahabat. Disclaimer; I express my views thoughtfully, avoiding slander & sensitivity of 3R. I value disagreement, recognizing diverse opinions enrich discourse. No one, no authority, no… — 𝖠𝖿𝗋𝖺𝗅'𝗌 (@AfralAbdullah) June 3, 2025 In the same tune, the Madani government backer who is disgruntled over mistreatment and disrespect shown to Reformasi livewire Rafizi also mooted the idea of the party advisor role being held by new leadership. 'This can prevent the party from being labelled a 'family party'. It's time for Kak Wan (Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) to step back and rest,' asserted @AfralAbdullah who has been through thick and thin with PKR since its Reformasi heydays. 'Believe me, the oppositwho has been through thick and thin with the party since its Reformasi daysion's job will be much easier in GE16 if nepotism continues to 'stick' or be synonymous with the party.' Accountability Elsewhere, the digital creator also postulated that all ministers, deputy ministers and political secretaries who openly supported Nurul Izzah before the announcement of candidates for the deputy president contest should resign from the Madani government. 'Their actions displayed a lack of professionalism and leaned toward 'sycophancy'. People who lack professionalism and are seen as 'sycophants' should not hold government positions,' he stressed. Additionally, @AfralAbdullah also felt that the PKR Election Committee (JPP) chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and her deputy, Ahmad Kassin must be held accountable if they fail to provide a clear or reasonable explanation on vote count disparity. 'Out of 30,000 eligible delegates, the combined votes for Rafizi & Nurul Izzah didn't even reach 15,000 or exactly 13,669 votes,' the grassroot member hit out. 'Where did the remaining 16,331 votes go? Lost or not cast?' Likewise, @AfralAbdullah also wanted the following three measures to be implemented in PKR: Branches with a 'head' but no 'body' should be investigated with re-elections held to restore confidence among members who believe the recent election was completely and absolutely 'rigged'; Leaders who lost in party elections or general elections should no longer hold ministerial or deputy ministerial positions to make way for winning leaders; and Investigate allegations of money politics (if any) in the recent party election. Added @AfralAbdullah who has 'delayed' his leaving PKR as he is awaiting Rafizi's announcement regarding his next steps after Eid al-Adha (June 7): Eid al-Adha is synonymous with the sacrifice ritual where only cows, goats, camels, etc are sacrificed. Unlike the recently concluded PKR party election, Rafizi – a loyalist who has long been associated with Anwar Ibrahim, someone who exemplified unwavering allegiance, devotion and fidelity to both Anwar and the PKR cause – became the 'sacrifice'. – June 5, 2025
