Latest news with #NikNazmi
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Duo should have let PM decide on Cabinet posts, says Sarawak minister
Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad should have let the prime minister decide 'instead of throwing in their resignation letters'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A Sarawak minister said Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who resigned from the Cabinet following their defeats at the PKR polls, should have let Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim decide if they should vacate their posts. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while it was within Rafizi and Nik Nazmi's right to resign as ministers, they should have been cognisant of the fact that a ministerial post was the prerogative of the prime minister. 'Personally, I feel that they should have just indicated their willingness to vacate their position as ministers and let Anwar make the final decision on whether they should stay or not as ministers, instead of throwing in their resignation letters,' he told FMT. Karim said their resignations could create political and economic instability, especially for Malaysia as a whole. Economy minister Rafizi and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi, who failed to defend their deputy presidency and vice-presidency, respectively, last week, resigned from their posts on Wednesday. While Rafizi had promised to step down from his ministerial post if he failed in his bid to be re-elected, Nik Nazmi said he recognised that his previous post as PKR vice-president was among the main considerations for his appointment to Anwar's Cabinet. Following their resignations, the two were hailed as being either principled or irresponsible. Karim, who had been in a similar position before, said he could understand the frustration of being ousted in the PKR elections, but said 'that's politics'. 'Somehow, I hoped they placed the well being of the nation before deciding to quit,' he said. In February, Karim had said that he was willing to step down as the state minister of tourism, creative industry and performing arts, as well as state minister of youth, sports and entrepreneur development after he was ousted as a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu vice-president. He, however, said he would leave the final decision to premier Abang Johari Openg, who said later that there would be no reshuffle. Karim was later appointed PBB information chief. Separately, the CEO of think tank Center for Market Education (CME), Carmelo Ferlito, said he did not see any radical change ahead following Rafizi's resignation. Ferlito said he did not see Rafizi as a key driver of economic policies in the past years. 'Not because of him, but in general, the government has not announced or implemented measures which are going to be game changers in the race for investments,' he told FMT. He said that despite talk about subsidy rationalisation, 'nothing much happened', adding that he only observed fragmented measures that were often not beneficial to businesses, such as e-invoicing.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Cabinet reshuffle inevitable, say analysts
Double exit: (From left) Rafizi and Nik Nazmi both resigned from the Cabinet after failing to retain their party posts in the recently concluded PKR polls. PETALING JAYA: If a Cabinet reshuffle is to take place, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must act swiftly, especially with the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting and the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan, say political analysts. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's Razak Faculty Perdana Centre political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali believes a reshuffle is inevitable and should involve appointing high-performing ministers. He did not rule out the possibility of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari joining the federal Cabinet, while Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz could shift to the state level once his senatorship ends. 'The Economy Ministry is vital. Many programmes have been lined up and must be delivered, so a replacement is crucial,' he said. Asked about the outcome of the recent PKR polls and supposed tension within the party, Mazlan noted that Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's faction still holds significant influence within the party's leadership. He said the resignations of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad reflected accountability. 'Any internal tension within PKR will likely subside within a week. It's a storm in a teacup with no spillover. This is evident as neither Amanah nor DAP have commented,' he said. 'As long as coalition partners continue to support Anwar, who holds a two-thirds parliamentary majority, the Madani government remains stable. Also, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned from Cabinet, not Parliament,' Mazlan added, contrasting the current situation with the exit of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his faction. Associate Professor Dr Azmi Hassan echoed the urgency for a decision, saying Anwar should not wait until Nik Nazmi's leave ends. He said the issue needs to be resolved quickly especially as PKR has many capable MPs who could take on ministerial roles, such as Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan. However, he dismissed the idea of Amirudin moving to the federal level, arguing that he is better suited to remain as Selangor's Mentri Besar. Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Datuk Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said deputy ministers could temporarily lead ministries to maintain continuity. 'This ensures familiarity with the ministry's tasks, especially as July is a sensitive yet strategic window of time. With the 13th Malaysia Plan scheduled for tabling, Anwar needs a strong and credible team to implement the nation's long-term economic planning.' He explained that Anwar's comment about delaying the reshuffle until Rafizi and Nik Nazmi return from leave reflects procedural respect rather than hesitation. 'Nik Nazmi's leave ends in July, coinciding with the parliamentary session. 'This suggests a possible Cabinet reshuffle either just after or even before the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan,' said Awang Azman. He also noted that Amirudin remains crucial in Selangor, unless there is a succession plan for the Mentri Besar post. 'Amirudin is a strong ally of Anwar and has shown good performance in Selangor. Removing Amirudin without internal PKR consensus could cause internal friction,' he said. Meanwhile, a PKR source said the resignations of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi from Cabinet have left a bad taste in the mouths of some party members and leaders. 'Some members are angry and they felt that the two leaders did not respect the president (Anwar) who has been busy with Asean matters, as they chose to act up during such an important moment,' a party leader said on condition of anonymity. The source said Rafizi's supporters have washed their hands and have left it to the new leadership to man the party. 'They feel they've done their part,' the source said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafizi, Nik Nazmi's resignations a principled move, says Zahid
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has the sole authority to appoint successors from PKR to fill the vacancies. KUALA LUMPUR : The decision by Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to resign from the Cabinet is a principled move that must be respected, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, as economy and natural resources and environmental sustainability ministers, had made effective contributions and supported all government decisions. 'They (Rafizi and Nik Nazmi) are principled. That was their promise (to resign if they lost in the PKR election) and we respect that stance. 'Although we do not interfere in the internal matters of parties, on behalf of our colleagues in the Cabinet, I feel that they have made significant contributions and collectively supported all Cabinet decisions,' he said. Zahid was speaking to reporters after attending the recording of the Desaku Mendunia concert and the pre-launch ceremony of the 3D Mega Carnival at Angkasapuri here last night. Zahid said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had the sole authority to appoint successors from PKR to fill the vacancies. 'Leaders come and go, and so do ministers. The prime minister will select the best individuals from the party to serve in the Cabinet,' he said. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced their resignations from the Cabinet, effective June 17 and July 4 respectively, following their defeats in the PKR elections last week. Rafizi failed to retain his position as PKR deputy president, losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar, while Nik Nazmi lost the contest for a vice-president's post. The Prime Minister's Office, in a statement last night, said Anwar had received the letters from Rafizi and Nik Nazmi requesting leave and resigning from their Cabinet posts. It said the prime minister had approved both leave applications and that further decisions on their resignations would be announced later.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
I will serve out my term, says Penang PKR exco man after Rafizi's exit
Fahmi Zainol, who chairs the agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee, lost in the recent PKR divisional polls. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : A Penang PKR leader aligned with Rafizi Ramli says he will not step down as a state executive councillor following the former deputy president's resignation from the Cabinet. 'When I am appointed, I must serve out my term,' Fahmi Zainol, the Penang PKR vice-chairman, told reporters here today. 'I will fulfil that responsibility. I have no plans to resign.' The Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, who heads the agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee, was defeated in Jelutong in the recent PKR division-level elections. Fahmi is one of two PKR exco members in the Penang government, the other being deputy chief minister I Mohamad Abdul Hamid. Rafizi, who lost the PKR deputy president's post to Nurul Izzah Anwar last week, resigned as economy minister yesterday. The two-term Pandan MP said it would be inappropriate for a Cabinet post to be held by a non-party leader. His resignation was followed by that of natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Nik Nazmi, a two-term MP, failed to defend his position as Setiawangsa PKR chief in the party's divisional polls as well as his vice-presidency.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
We won't betray PKR, says Nik Nazmi
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned as a minister after failing to defend his PKR vice-presidency. PETALING JAYA : Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad insists that he and Rafizi Ramli are still loyal to PKR despite resigning as ministers. Nik Nazmi's cryptic post on X comes after a viral text message claimed that 11 MPs from the party are retracting their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR president. 'We resigned. We will not betray the party,' the Setiawangsa MP said. Nik Nazmi, a two-term MP, resigned as the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister yesterday after failing to defend his PKR vice-presidency. He also failed to defend his position as Setiawangsa PKR chief in the party's divisional polls last month. Rafizi also resigned as the economy minister yesterday after losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the race for the PKR deputy president's post. He said he was following the practice in countries that uphold democratic principles, where party leaders who lose in internal elections make way for those who have been given a new mandate.
