Rafizi can still play powerful role outside Cabinet, says Shahril

 Ex-Umno man Shahril Hamdan says outgoing economy minister Rafizi Ramli still brings unique value to PKR’s campaign efforts.

Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan said Rafizi Ramli Rafizi should not be seen as sulking or becoming irrelevant by resigning, but rather as someone who can continue contributing from outside the government.

PETALING JAYA:

 Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli is likely to remain influential in the party even after stepping down from his Cabinet position, says former Umno leader Shahril Hamdan.

Shahril, a former Umno information chief, said the outgoing economy minister still brings unique value to PKR’s campaign efforts, despite losing the party’s No 2 post to Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“Rafizi can still play a role as one of the most unmatched campaigners in PKR, and can still build a movement that contributes to the party’s struggle without appearing to abandon it,” he said in the latest “Keluar Sekejap” podcast episode, which was recorded before Rafizi’s resignation.

Before the PKR polls, Rafizi had said he would quit as the economy minister and go back to being a regular MP if he failed to be re-elected as the deputy president.

Shahril said Rafizi should not be seen as sulking or becoming irrelevant by resigning, but rather as someone who can continue contributing from outside the government.

“He can still play a powerful role outside the Cabinet, campaigning, mobilising, inspiring the base (voters). He’s unmatched in that area within PKR. He can still build a movement that contributes to the party, without being in government,” he said.

Shahril also dismissed claims by analysts that the deputy presidency race was a victory for grassroots-friendly candidates over those perceived as elitist.

“Just because someone is intellectual or policy-focused doesn’t mean they’re out of touch with the grassroots. You can be both.

“There are people with both intellectual standing and grassroots connection. And there are also those who lack both. But in overly simplistic analyses, we reduce things to black and white,” he said, citing outgoing natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as an example.

“There were claims that Nik Nazmi didn’t serve Setiawangsa well. I don’t know. We’re not there, and we’re not PKR members there. But I think that view is too simplistic.

“The more important issue is this: this election could mark a turning point for PKR. What happens next will determine whether this is a generational renewal – where new leaders rise – or the moment when some supporters begin to lose faith in the party,” he said.

‘Nurul Izzah must now prove she’s worthy’

Shahril’s co-host, former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, said while Nurul Izzah’s win was decisive, it has revived talk of nepotism in PKR due to her being the daughter of party president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Khairy said the burden is on Nurul Izzah to prove that her win was based on merit and not family ties, adding that the real test for her would come during the next general election.

“It’s now up to her and the party to dispel that perception (of nepotism). She must prove not just to her supporters, but especially to sceptics, that she can match or surpass Rafizi in certain aspects. If not, that perception will stick and that could have serious long-term consequences,” he said. - FMT