Rafizi won't take PKR appointed posts, warns against Zafrul's membership
Published: Jun 1, 2025 6:14 PM
Updated: 8:20 PM
Summary
- Rafizi Ramli says he was offered a PKR second deputy president post, but is not interested.
- He also appears to dismiss the idea of forming a new party.
- Rafizi also warns that accepting Tengku Zafrul into PKR could create an unwanted precedent.
Outgoing Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli is standing by his decision not to take appointed posts in PKR.
He also revealed that the post Nurul Izzah Anwar had previously offered him was as a second deputy president.
“I’ve made it clear from the beginning that I won’t be accepting any offers. That’s already known.
“In fact, when Nurul Izzah met me the other day, she tried to propose the idea of appointing me as a deputy president, but even if it were a nominated deputy president or president post, I’m not interested,” he was quoted as saying by The Star today.
Rafizi had lost the PKR deputy presidency to Nurul Izzah on May 23.
Prior to that, Rafizi said that Nurul Izzah had met him on May 20 to ask him to help her after the party polls were over, and alluded to a position.
PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar
An appointed post for Rafizi was also reportedly on the agenda for the newly elected central leadership committee.
Speaking to reporters today, Rafizi said he would remain as an MP and as Pandan PKR division chief to fulfil the mandate given to him by voters.
He also appeared to dismiss the idea of forming a new party.
"If I had any plans, I wouldn't share them with you. It's not wise to discuss strategies with the media that haven't even been launched yet," he added.
Forming a new party while he is still a PKR member would run counter to Rafizi's plans to stay on as an MP, as this would violate the anti-hopping law, which would result in his parliamentary seat being vacated.
Tread carefully
On Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s bid to join PKR, Rafizi warned the party to be careful.
He said that while the coalition government agreement did not include clear provisions against party members hopping within the Madani coalition, members should steer clear of such a move.
“Party hopping is something that should have been avoided, as it could open a door to consequences we can’t foresee.
“If one Umno member joins PKR, how do you draw the line? These are matters that will eventually have to be discussed at the unity government level," he added.
An appointed post for Rafizi was also reportedly on the agenda for the newly elected central leadership committee.
Speaking to reporters today, Rafizi said he would remain as an MP and as Pandan PKR division chief to fulfil the mandate given to him by voters.
He also appeared to dismiss the idea of forming a new party.
"If I had any plans, I wouldn't share them with you. It's not wise to discuss strategies with the media that haven't even been launched yet," he added.
Forming a new party while he is still a PKR member would run counter to Rafizi's plans to stay on as an MP, as this would violate the anti-hopping law, which would result in his parliamentary seat being vacated.
Tread carefully
On Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s bid to join PKR, Rafizi warned the party to be careful.
He said that while the coalition government agreement did not include clear provisions against party members hopping within the Madani coalition, members should steer clear of such a move.
“Party hopping is something that should have been avoided, as it could open a door to consequences we can’t foresee.
“If one Umno member joins PKR, how do you draw the line? These are matters that will eventually have to be discussed at the unity government level," he added.
Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz
Zafrul resigned from Umno on Friday and is applying to join PKR.
The move has angered Umno, as Zafrul is still holding on to his minister portfolio, meaning the party has one less representative in the cabinet.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said that Zafrul's membership application has not yet been formally discussed.
Anwar also appears keen to keep Zafrul around as the investment, trade, and industry minister against Umno's wishes.
Zafrul resigned from Umno on Friday and is applying to join PKR.
The move has angered Umno, as Zafrul is still holding on to his minister portfolio, meaning the party has one less representative in the cabinet.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said that Zafrul's membership application has not yet been formally discussed.
Anwar also appears keen to keep Zafrul around as the investment, trade, and industry minister against Umno's wishes.
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