Rafizi's deadline to answer PKR over his GE16 plan expires today

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli faces a deadline today to explain his intention to contest the 16th general election outside of PKR, after the party issued him a show-cause letter over remarks suggesting he may no longer stand under its ticket.

PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh told Bernama yesterday that the former economy minister has until today to respond, as his five-day deadline expires.

“He said he would contest in GE16 but not under the PKR ticket. It may create the perception that he intends to leave the party.

“As such, the show-cause letter offers him the opportunity to clarify. We do not want to take action arbitrarily; it is best that we adhere to the party constitution,” she was quoted as saying in Kota Bharu.

Fuziah said PKR does not want to make a hasty decision without first hearing from its former deputy president.

“On March 1, we will hold a central leadership council meeting. As for the decision regarding Rafizi, we will see how it goes,” she reportedly said.

Malaysiakini has contacted Rafizi for his response and is awaiting a reply.

Drifting from PKR

On Thursday, Rafizi claimed that PKR is attempting to pressure him into leaving the party so he can be removed as an MP.

He said he received a show-cause letter from PKR accusing him of effectively declaring his resignation from the party when he announced plans to contest the next general election on a non-PKR ticket.

However, he argued that he remains a PKR member as long as he has not formally tendered his resignation or joined another party.

Rafizi has been drifting further away from PKR after being ousted as deputy president in the party election last year by Nurul Izzah Anwar.

He has also become an ardent critic of PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily recently, Rafizi reiterated recent remarks that PKR was no longer “home” due to the party’s shift in ideals after Anwar became prime minister - claiming the latter expected PKR to be subservient while he focused on getting continued support from Umno and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to stay in power.

Rafizi said the only thing stopping him from leaving PKR now is the anti-hopping law, which would deprive his constituents of an MP if he quit the party.

Parliament passed the cut-off date for by-elections in December.

Not forming pact with Khairy

Rafizi also appeared to rule out forming a party with former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, with whom he is friends, saying the two have clashing styles and objectives.

“If you put us in the same room, then we will be arguing about where to go,” he said.

He said Khairy is an establishment figure who believes that change can be achieved from being in government, while he is of the opinion that he can have an impact even as an activist or opposition member.

Rafizi’s PKR allies include lawmakers Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Wong Chen (Subang), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya), S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng), and Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju).

Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang and Economy Minister Akmal Nasir are also closely aligned to Rafizi, as is Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.

MACC probe

Rafizi is also being investigated for two separate cases. The first involves a government deal with British semiconductor giant Arm Holdings, where he is accused of rushing through an agreement that allegedly cost RM1.1 billion.

The second allegation concerns a solar energy project by UEM Lestra, in which he is accused of steering a contract worth RM2.5 billion to a company with ties to him.

He claimed that the government was using the MACC to intimidate him.

Rafizi argued that the timing of the MACC probe - following his call for MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s suspension after allegations reported by Bloomberg - demonstrated the risk of abuse of power.

On Feb 17, Bernama reported that MACC opened an investigation into an RM1.1 billion agreement between the government and a foreign company.

Citing unnamed sources, the report stated that the investigation followed complaints from several NGOs alleging the agreement was hastily arranged and biased, potentially creating financial implications for the government.

A source reportedly said that MACC had taken several documents related to the agreement from the Economy Ministry on Feb 13, to assist in the investigation.

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