Rafizi’s vow to quit as minister understandable, say analysts

 Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara says PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli knows he is a minister because of his position in the party.

Rafizi Ramli has pledged to resign from the Cabinet if he does not retain the PKR deputy president’s post at the party’s upcoming polls.

PETALING JAYA:

 Analysts say economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s pledge to resign if he loses his bid for re-election as PKR deputy president is understandable.

Speaking to FMT, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Rafizi is well aware that his appointment to the Cabinet was on the back of his position in PKR, and not due to his expertise in economics.

Azmi Hassan.

“There are other people for that. He knows he is a minister because of his deputy presidency in PKR,” he said.

On a recent episode of his Yang Bakar Menteri podcast, Rafizi said leaving the Cabinet would be a welcome relief, giving him more time and the freedom to speak out on various issues.

He said it would also give him the opportunity to focus on his responsibilities as Pandan MP while helping PKR to prepare for the 16th general election.

Syaza Shukri.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic Universiti Malaysia said that while it may appear Rafizi was unconcerned about his ministerial post, he most likely believes that losing the party post was tantamount to losing his mandate to represent PKR in government.

“Although there’s no direct relationship between the two positions, we expect ministers to be appointed from among the leaders of the governing parties,” she told FMT.

However, Syaza questioned the timing of Rafizi’s statement, made in the run-up to the party polls, saying it made him appear petty.

“He did say it would be okay if he loses because being a minister is hard. But if he believes so, why throw his hat in again?” she said.

Azmi said Rafizi may be targeting sympathy votes from PKR delegates.

“(The strategy will work) if the PKR delegates think he has done a good job (as minister).

“However, certain quarters in PKR do not think much of him as an economy minister. So that could backfire on him,” he said. - FMT