PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli has resigned from his post as the party’s secretary-general.

This was announced by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at a press conference at the party's headquarters this afternoon.

Wan Azizah received the letter informing her of Rafizi’s intention to resign today.

“I have a sad announcement to make because I consider the PKR family as a large family. I consider those under me as my own children. 

“I want to announce the appointment of Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as PKR secretary-general and the resignation of Rafizi," she said.

This, said Wan Azizah, comes after Rafizi’s 18-month jail sentence for breaching the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

However, she said, the matter was discussed prior to this, taking into account the possibility of Rafizi having to serve the jail sentence.

“He informed me a year ago about his intention to relinquish his post as secretary-general if he is sentenced with an offence that strips him from holding any post in a political organisation,” said Wan Azizah, adding that the matter was also informed to the party’s political bureau.

She also confirmed that the matter was also discussed with her husband, Anwar Ibrahim. The decision to appoint Saifuddin was made after taking into account Anwar’s views.

Saifuddin was the party’s first strategy director before he became the party’s secretary-general, from 2010 to 2014.

“I am confident that he will play a major role in strengthening PKR in Pakatan Harapan to cooperate with all opposition parties to ensure one-to-one fights in the next general election,” added Wan Azizah.

Thanking Rafizi for his service as secretary-general after taking over from Saifuddin in 2014, she said Rafizi has been instrumental in managing the party after Anwar’s incarceration for sodomy as well as after the dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat.

Rafizi to remain as vice-president

Meanwhile, although the appeal process for his conviction was still ongoing, Rafizi said there was a need for PKR to build a strong machinery to face the next general election.

“The appeal could go on for a month, a year. It’s unfair for the party to work around uncertainty.”

Rafizi also said that he chose today to resign as it was his son’s birthday.

However, he will remain as the party’s vice-president as the mandate for the post was given by party members.

“It’s slightly different with the vice-president’s position because it is an elected position so the mandate should be given to members, which will not happen until the next party election.

“In the meantime, we will leave it to the court process.”

Although he can hold any party post until all legal avenues are exhausted, Rafizi pointed out to the workload spread evenly among the party’s seven vice-presidents.

“In my place, if I have to let go of the vice-president’s position, it won’t have that much impact because there are others.

“But this is not the case for the secretary-general position who heads the party’s administration and preparation,” he added.

The Pandan MP remains confident that there will be no disturbance, as the position was going back to its predecessor, Saifuddin.

“We will work as a team, as it has always been in the last 15 years. I will continue with recruiting work to ensure we will win seats that were  marginally won by the BN.

“I think if there’s one thing we do well in PKR, it is that we plan really well.”

After his conviction by the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur, the court allowed a stay of execution on the sentence.

Rafizi was found guilty of disclosing Page 98 of the auditor-general’s report, which has been classified under the OSA.

He is appealing the verdict in the High Court.