Latest news with #RafiziRamli
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Umno's Puad says Tengku Zafrul just trying to fill Rafizi void, will be a liability to PKR
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi has criticised Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz following his resignation from the party, saying his entry into PKR would only burden the party. Puad repeated said Umno should not repeat its 'mistake' in rolling out the red carpet for Tengku Zafrul, which he accused of having 'no real loyalty'. 'Umno shouldn't mourn his departure. Let him go. He's simply trying to fill the void left by [Datuk Seri] Rafizi Ramli,' he was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today, referring to former PKR deputy president. 'I believe Tengku Zafrul will become a liability to PKR.' Rafizi recently lost his post to Nurul Izzah Anwar, and has since resigned as economy minister. Puad said Umno had 'spoiled' Tengku Zafrul by appointing him as an election candidate, a division chief, a Supreme Council member, and finally with a Cabinet post as investment, trade and industry minister. 'It should never be repeated. Umno must stop bringing in individuals with no roots or commitment to the party. Tengku Zafrul never had any real loyalty to Umno,' he reportedly said. Puad, who is also Rengit assemblyman, claimed Tengku Zafrul had long distanced himself from Umno, skipping Supreme Council meetings, and should have been expelled sooner. Yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said he has resigned from Umno and announced plans to apply for membership in political ally PKR. The investment, trade and industry minister is also vacating his seat on the Umno Supreme Council as well as his position as its Kota Raja division chief. Tengku Zafrul previously said that he had joined Umno back in 1997. He served as CIMB Group chief executive for six years before resigning from his post after being appointed senator and the country's finance minister in 2020. He had contested the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat in the 15th general election but was defeated by Parti Amanah Negara's Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Free Malaysia Today
16 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Opportunist' Tengku Zafrul will be a PKR liability, says Puad
One of Umno's biggest mistakes was 'spoiling' Tengku Zafrul Aziz and giving him the red carpet treatment, according to Puad Zarkashi (left). PETALING JAYA : Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi trained his guns at Tengku Zafrul Aziz for quitting the party, saying that the federal minister will become a liability for PKR. Describing Tengku Zafrul as an opportunist, Puad said that if PKR accepted the former into its fold, it would be 'a stab in the back for Umno'. Puad's remarks came shortly after Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts, with plans to join PKR. Puad told FMT: 'Umno shouldn't mourn his departure. Let him go. He's simply trying to fill the void left by (former PKR deputy president) Rafizi Ramli. I believe Tengku Zafrul will become a liability to PKR.' Rafizi, who was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar in the contest for the deputy presidency at the recent party polls, resigned as economy minister on Wednesday. Tengku Zafrul's decision confirms rumours in February that he would leave Umno and join PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year's end. Tengku Zafrul said he had conveyed his intention to join PKR to party president Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. He also said he would go through the usual procedure to apply to be a PKR member. Puad, who is Rengit assemblyman, said one of Umno's biggest mistakes was 'spoiling' Tengku Zafrul too much by giving him the red carpet treatment. 'He was made an election candidate, a division chief, a Supreme Council member, and appointed as investment, trade and industry minister. 'It should never be repeated. Umno must stop bringing in individuals with no roots or commitment to the party. Tengku Zafrul never had any real loyalty to Umno,' Puad said. Tengku Zafrul was previously an Umno Supreme Council member and also headed the Kota Raja Umno division. He had contested the Kuala Selangor seat during the 2022 general election but lost to Amanah's Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes in a four-cornered contest. In December last year, there were rumours that he was planning to join PKR in an apparent bid to become the next Selangor menteri besar. He later denied being in talks over state-level positions. But speculation was further fuelled after Anwar confirmed that talks were under way for Tengku Zafrul to join the party. Puad today said Tengku Zafrul should have been expelled earlier, when news of his plans to join PKR made headlines. 'He even hadn't been attending Supreme Council meetings for some time.'
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Replace Rafizi before tabling 13MP, suggests Ahmad Maslan
Umno's Ahmad Maslan said the 13th Malaysia Plan is an important document that sets the nation's economic direction for the next five years. PETALING JAYA : Umno's Ahmad Maslan has suggested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appoint a new economy minister to replace Rafizi Ramli before the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in July. The Pontian MP said the 13MP is an important document that needs to be managed thoroughly since it sets the nation's economic direction for the next five years, Sinar Harian reported. 'However, the appointment of the new economy minister is the prerogative of the prime minister,' he said. Rafizi and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from their Cabinet posts on Wednesday after they were defeated in the PKR central leadership elections. Rafizi's resignation takes effect on June 17 while Nik Nazmi officially vacates his post on July 4, though both are currently on leave. While their leave applications were accepted, the Prime Minister's Office had said Anwar would announce his decision on their resignations later on. Ahmad, the deputy works minister, also said he expected Rafizi and Nik Nazmi's replacements to be named before their posts are officially vacated. Ahmad, an Umno Supreme Council member, urged his party colleagues not to get involved with PKR's internal affairs, advising them to just observe from afar. 'Umno will only observe, though the public may be taking a closer look at what's happening.' Several Umno leaders had commented on the outcome of PKR's elections, including Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘I'm on leave, not gone': Rafizi breaks silence after quitting Cabinet, hints at next move
In a post on X today, Rafizi said he began his leave on Wednesday and will use the time to respond to the flood of messages he's received — and rejoin the public conversation online. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has broken his silence just two days after announcing his resignation from the post of economy minister, telling followers that while he's officially on leave, he's far from checking out of public life. In a post on social media platform X today, the former PKR deputy president said he began his leave on Wednesday and will use the time to respond to the flood of messages he's received — and rejoin the public conversation online. 'I've started my leave on Wednesday. Mission now is to reply to thousands of messages and join the chatter here on X,' he wrote. Rafizi, who lost the PKR deputy president race to Nurul Izzah Anwar on May 23, stepped down from his Cabinet post earlier this week, citing the loss of party mandate to continue implementing reform policies within the government. In his latest post, he appeared calm and philosophical, adding that he has already mapped out his next steps — but would share them only after the dust settles from recent political developments. 'I already have a plan on what to focus on next, but let everyone breathe first — with Hari Raya Haji coming up and all,' he said. 'I'll share more later.' His post ended on a note that reflects a central tenet of his reformist outlook: 'The real potential of this country lies with ordinary people. We have to go back to harnessing this potential.' Ha3 X masih bising. Saya dah mula cuti hari Rabu, misi sekarang nak reply beribu2 mesej & join sama sembang dekat X. Saya memang dah plan apa nak tumpu lepas ni, tapi biarlah semua orang tenang, raya haji etc. Apa2 saya kongsi kemudian. Potensi sebenar negara adalah rakyat… — Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) May 30, 2025 The Pandan MP's decision to exit government has stirred speculation about his future role in politics and public life. His last official day in office will be June 17, with the remainder of his time in government now being spent on annual leave. – Malay Mail on leave pkr rafizi ramli resign
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rafizi hints at future plans after stepping down
PETALING JAYA: Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has hinted at future endeavours following his resignation, saying he will reveal more details in due time. The Pandan MP said he has been inundated with messages since announcing his departure from the Cabinet. ALSO READ: Rafizi resigns from Cabinet 'I've been on leave since Wednesday, and my current mission is to reply to thousands of messages and join the conversations on X. 'I already have a plan for what I want to focus on next, but I'll wait until everyone has calmed down — after Hari Raya Haji and all that. 'I'll share more later. 'The true potential of this country lies in its ordinary people. We need to get back to harnessing that potential,' he wrote in a post on X. Rafizi's resignation came shortly after his loss in the PKR party elections, where he failed to defend his deputy president post. He secured 3,866 votes, while Nurul Izzah Anwar clinched the position with 9,803 votes.
