Rafizi says Anwar's 'return to PKR' call not for him, Nik Nazmi
B Nantha Kumar
Published: Aug 16, 2026 10:59 AM
Updated: 12:59 PM
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli does not believe PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s call for former leaders and activists to return to the party was directed at him or his fellow Bersama leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Instead, the former economy minister believes the appeal was more likely aimed at other former party members who had left PKR or been sacked.
“I am more inclined to think that he (Anwar) was referring to groups such as Tian Chua, Dr Xavier (Jayakumar), and some of those who were previously with Azmin Ali.
“Not us,” he told reporters after the Bersama candidate announcement ceremony for the Malacca state election last night, referring to himself and Nik Nazmi, who left PKR and vacated their Parliament seats in May to lead their new party Bersama.
Chua, one of PKR’s founding leaders who was sacked in 2023, has meanwhile welcomed Anwar’s call.
The former MP said he attended the party’s national congress on Anwar’s invitation.
Published: Aug 16, 2026 10:59 AM
Updated: 12:59 PM
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli does not believe PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s call for former leaders and activists to return to the party was directed at him or his fellow Bersama leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Instead, the former economy minister believes the appeal was more likely aimed at other former party members who had left PKR or been sacked.
“I am more inclined to think that he (Anwar) was referring to groups such as Tian Chua, Dr Xavier (Jayakumar), and some of those who were previously with Azmin Ali.
“Not us,” he told reporters after the Bersama candidate announcement ceremony for the Malacca state election last night, referring to himself and Nik Nazmi, who left PKR and vacated their Parliament seats in May to lead their new party Bersama.
Chua, one of PKR’s founding leaders who was sacked in 2023, has meanwhile welcomed Anwar’s call.
The former MP said he attended the party’s national congress on Anwar’s invitation.
Ex-Batu MP Tian Chua
“I think he made his message clear. He wants the veterans to return and help consolidate the party, including those who feel marginalised,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today yesterday.
Asked if he was rejoining PKR, Chua said: “It’s Anwar’s call. It’s up to Anwar to reinstate my membership and with the same membership number.”
Chua was expelled after the 15th general election in 2022 for contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent. PKR’s P Prabakaran won the seat in a 10-cornered fight.
Yesterday, Anwar, in his policy speech at the PKR National Congress, apologised and appealed to former leaders to return.
“First, the veterans, who sometimes… it is normal… please return…my other friends, who may feel somewhat sidelined.
“If we have made any mistakes, I apologise. Please return to the path of our struggle,” he said at the Melaka International Trade Centre.
Asked if he was rejoining PKR, Chua said: “It’s Anwar’s call. It’s up to Anwar to reinstate my membership and with the same membership number.”
Chua was expelled after the 15th general election in 2022 for contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent. PKR’s P Prabakaran won the seat in a 10-cornered fight.
Yesterday, Anwar, in his policy speech at the PKR National Congress, apologised and appealed to former leaders to return.
“First, the veterans, who sometimes… it is normal… please return…my other friends, who may feel somewhat sidelined.
“If we have made any mistakes, I apologise. Please return to the path of our struggle,” he said at the Melaka International Trade Centre.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at the party congress in Malacca yesterday
Anwar did not specifically name Rafizi, Nik Nazmi or any other former PKR leader.
Earlier, PKR Women information chief Ginie Lim uploaded a photograph with Chua and Xavier at the congress.
Xavier left PKR in 2021 and declared support for the government led by then-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Anwar did not specifically name Rafizi, Nik Nazmi or any other former PKR leader.
Earlier, PKR Women information chief Ginie Lim uploaded a photograph with Chua and Xavier at the congress.
Xavier left PKR in 2021 and declared support for the government led by then-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
UUCA abolished or merely ‘changing clothes’?
Rafizi also commented on the government’s announcement that it would abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), saying the move should be judged by the law that replaces it and the level of autonomy granted to public universities.
“What we do not want is for this to merely become political and campaign material. UUCA is abolished, but what replaces it later is just the same thing under a different name.
“Real autonomy means the government must relinquish administrative control, including handing over full authority to appoint vice-chancellors to university senates and providing annual allocations as unconditional endowments.
“There should be no need to ask the minister or the PM. If the government still has to approve the budget and control the administration, that is not reform. We need to first see whether the replacement law is genuinely reform or merely theatrics,” he added.
Part of 13MP talks
Rafizi said greater autonomy for public universities had been discussed during the formulation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at the Economy Ministry.
The 13MP outlines reforms to higher education governance, including university autonomy and funding, but details of the replacement law and mechanisms for leadership appointments and funding have yet to be announced.
In his policy speech, Anwar said the government would abolish the Act to provide greater freedom and democratic space for university students, with the proposal to be brought to the cabinet next Wednesday.
He said the move followed a memorandum and feedback from student leaders seeking more comprehensive changes to the law.
UUCA has long been criticised by student activists and reform groups over provisions they say restrict freedom of expression, student political activities and academic autonomy.
Pakatan Harapan’s 2018 general election manifesto also pledged to abolish the Act.
The extent of the reform, however, will depend on the contents of the replacement bill, including provisions on university governance, funding and autonomy.
Rafizi also commented on the government’s announcement that it would abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), saying the move should be judged by the law that replaces it and the level of autonomy granted to public universities.
“What we do not want is for this to merely become political and campaign material. UUCA is abolished, but what replaces it later is just the same thing under a different name.
“Real autonomy means the government must relinquish administrative control, including handing over full authority to appoint vice-chancellors to university senates and providing annual allocations as unconditional endowments.
“There should be no need to ask the minister or the PM. If the government still has to approve the budget and control the administration, that is not reform. We need to first see whether the replacement law is genuinely reform or merely theatrics,” he added.
Part of 13MP talks
Rafizi said greater autonomy for public universities had been discussed during the formulation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at the Economy Ministry.
The 13MP outlines reforms to higher education governance, including university autonomy and funding, but details of the replacement law and mechanisms for leadership appointments and funding have yet to be announced.
In his policy speech, Anwar said the government would abolish the Act to provide greater freedom and democratic space for university students, with the proposal to be brought to the cabinet next Wednesday.
He said the move followed a memorandum and feedback from student leaders seeking more comprehensive changes to the law.
UUCA has long been criticised by student activists and reform groups over provisions they say restrict freedom of expression, student political activities and academic autonomy.
Pakatan Harapan’s 2018 general election manifesto also pledged to abolish the Act.
The extent of the reform, however, will depend on the contents of the replacement bill, including provisions on university governance, funding and autonomy.
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