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New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rafizi slammed for elitism: 'PKR doesn't belong to the inner circle alone'
JOHOR BARU: The behaviour of PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, which includes questioning, insulting, and making unfounded personal accusations about the victories of several PKR division chiefs, merely reflects an immature political culture. Johor Baru PKR division chief Mohamad Taufiq Ismail said Rafizi's comments made during the podcast 'Yang Bakar Menteri' yesterday were inappropriate, prejudiced, and should not be practised by the party's top leadership. He condemned Rafizi's statements and urged him to retract his comments and issue a public apology for the insults directed at him. "It is regrettable that a senior leader like YB Rafizi would choose to make personal statements that are not based on facts and question my contributions that led to my selection as the Johor Baru division chief. "Such open accusations and insults tarnish not only the reputation of individuals but also undermine the spirit of many young people and activists who are building their foundation within the party. "This party does not belong to an elite group alone. "It belongs to all the people who are part of it and to the members who tirelessly work at the grassroots level. "Personal politics and elitism must not be allowed to extinguish the spirit of young people who sincerely fight for the party and the nation," he said in a statement here today. Yesterday, Rafizi, who is also the economy minister, reportedly questioned the victories of Mohamad Taufiq and Afdlin Shauki as the PKR division chiefs of Johor Baru and Setiawangsa, respectively, during the podcast 'Yang Berhenti Menteri'. Rafizi was reported to have described Mohamad Taufiq as an unknown "kid" with no permanent job and no record to defeat the deputy energy transition and water transformation minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, who is also the PKR strategy director and Johor Baru member of parliament. Meanwhile, Rafizi referred to Afdlin as a "professional comedian" who defeated PKR vice president, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also the natural resources and environment minister. Mohamad Taufiq said Rafizi's remarks and insults overlooked the reality that many young and new leaders had emerged through their own capabilities, hard work, and commitment to the party's struggle. He said that such personal accusations and insults only weakened party unity and reflected immaturity in politics. "For YB Rafizi's information, I am the chief of the state youth wing (AMK) and the former chief of AMK for Johor Baru in the previous term. "Perhaps it is time for YB Rafizi to engage more frequently with grassroots leaders who are actively working for the party. "I was directly involved in helping Akmal Nasir win in the 14th General Election (GE14) and GE15, and I have previously held the positions of secretary and organising secretary, actively serving at the grassroots level and contributing to the reform movement, particularly among the younger generation," he said. He said it was very superficial to assess a leader's qualifications solely based on their employment status or personal relationships with higher-ups. "For the record, I have been employed as an automotive mechanic at a family-owned company for the past eight years; however, YB Rafizi's accusation that I am a kid with no permanent job is an insult. "I am not an 'unknown kid with no permanent job and no record in the party' as depicted, but rather a grassroots activist who has served, fought, and built the trust of party members while holding key positions at the branch and state levels, ultimately being entrusted with the mandate as the Johor Baru division chief today.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PKR must be prepared to answer the people, says Rafizi
PETALING JAYA: PKR should be prepared to answer the people, including those who are attacking the party, especially the opposition, says PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli ( pic ). He said, Nurul Izzah Anwar can never run from the nepotism label after deciding to contest for the deputy president position in the PKR election on May 34. 'When Nurul Izzah decided to contest for the position, the issue of nepotism can't be cast aside, as people will have their own opinions about it. So, it is up to Nurul Izzah to explain. I don't want to prolong the issue, but there is worry about how the people are perceiving it, he said during the Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri event at the MBSJ Multipurpose Hall on Saturday. (May 10), reported by Sinar Harian. He added PKR cannot escape from this perception, which will be among the topics discussed at the grassroots level ahead of the 16th general election (GE16). The issue, he said will continue to linger but the party will have to be cautious about how it is being answered without being overzealous. However, the PKR deputy president believes that the former Lembah Pantai MP had her own reasons for contesting in the party election. If she wins the deputy president's post Nurul Izzah must be prepared to lead the troops and be friendly with the other political parties in the Madani government, Rafizi said. This is because the issue is not just about what the candidate can offer but also the responsibilities he or she can shoulder after winning the position, he pointed out. 'I have no problem if Nurul Izzah is able to shoulder the task as a tough 'General'. She will have to shoulder the responsibility of being the 'tough guy' against the 'walaun'. 'I have no problem if someone else can shoulder that responsibility. I am more than happy to pass it on. The other is that the deputy president will be tasked to negotiate the number of seats for the party while leading it during the election. 'That role must be shouldered well by the Deputy President. If Nurul Izzah is confident and prepared, has a good plan and wins, then I am sure we will support her en masse,' he said.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rafizi takes Dr Zaliha to task over PKR election irregularities
SERDANG: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has taken to task the party's election committee, led by Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, for its poor handling of alleged irregularities in the party's internal election process, including at the divisional level. Rafizi said the committee had failed to address key issues, such as candidates from other parties slipping through and contesting in PKR elections. "I have long raised this concern within the party. My worry is that when we are in power, people scramble to join because we're too eager to accept new members. "Some of these individuals are what I call 'Airbnb members'. They join during election season and disappear afterwards. "I have to call this out. If the committee or Zaliha is unhappy, so be it. This is their responsibility. It is supposed to be an independent body that screens everything," he said during the Yang Bakar Menteri: Yang Berhenti Menteri programme last night. "When objections are raised, they must respond to each one. Sometimes there are hundreds of objections that go unanswered. When we ask about them, they pretend not to know. "And only after all the divisional elections are done do they open up for objections. By then, people are already angry," Rafizi, who is also Economy Minister, added. He also blamed PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh for failing to detect non-members, including those from Umno, who managed to contest for party posts. "Membership issues fall under Fuziah. Objections related to outsiders contesting are within the secretary-general's jurisdiction. She must act, and so must election committee," he said. Rafizi added that the PKR election process requires serious reform, especially by the election committee as it is the party's first line of defence. "Whoever becomes the next election committee chair must realise how heavy the responsibility is. You are the frontline defence of the party. "When the grassroots file complaints, don't take them lightly. I believe those who lodge objections do so out of love and concern for the party. "The chair must scrutinise properly and request evidence when there are the committee can't handle all of them, at least filter as many as possible. "If that means adding more members to the committee to handle objections, then do so, otherwise, it's like crying over spilt milk," he said. He was responding to a participant's question on claims that Umno and Pejuang members had contested and even won posts in PKR's divisional elections.
