24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rafizi no-show at PKR National Congress final day after defeat
JOHOR BARU: Defeated PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli was notably absent on the final day of the party's National Congress 2025, held this morning at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre.
As of 10.17am, the Pandan member of Parliament and Economy Minister had yet to make an appearance, sparking widespread speculation among delegates who were eagerly awaiting his presence at the congress hall.
Rafizi had been a central figure throughout the campaign, vocally using the platform of the "Reviving Reformist Ideals Amid Power Challenges" (Hiruk) tour to openly criticise the party's system and leadership, including his rivals contesting the election.
He had also publicly declared his readiness to relinquish his Cabinet position should he fail to secure the deputy president post in the PKR party elections.
The 2025 PKR National Congress saw significant changes in the party's top leadership lineup, including the defeat of several incumbents.
The most attention-grabbing contest was for the deputy president position, where Nurul Izzah Anwar defeated the incumbent Rafizi Ramli.
The official results for the Central Leadership Council (MPP) 2025-2028, including the deputy president post, were announced by Central Election Committee Chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa around 10.30pm last night, following the opening speech of the Congress by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Nurul Izzah, former Permatang Pauh MP, garnered 9,803 votes, defeating Rafizi, who secured 3,866 votes.
When approached by the media after the announcement, Rafizi declined to comment further, simply stating, "It's okay, you should ask the (new) deputy president."
He appeared displeased when asked if he accepted the result of losing to the 'Puteri Reformasi,' Nurul Izzah.
This morning, the PKR National Congress 2024/2025 continued with the debate session on the President's policy speech.
Earlier, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the congress venue at 8.40am accompanied by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the party's Advisory Council Chairperson.
Nurul Izzah arrived at approximately 8.20am alongside other top party leaders.
