Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said he will respond to PKR's show-cause letter this evening, as his five-day deadline nears.
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh told Bernama yesterday that the former economy minister has until today to respond.
This follows PKR issuing him a show-cause letter over remarks suggesting he intends to contest the 16th general election outside the party rather than under its ticket.
"I'll respond this evening, a few hours before the deadline," Rafizi told Malaysiakini in a short reply when contacted.
Fuziah was reported saying that Rafizi's remarks - that he plans to contest GE16 but not under a PKR ticket - could be interpreted as a sign that he intends to leave the party.
Rather than acting on this assumption and punishing him outright, she said PKR decided to issue a show-cause letter to give him a fair chance to clarify what he actually meant.
“On March 1, we will hold a central leadership council meeting. As for the decision regarding Rafizi, we will see how it goes,” Fuziah added.
Pressured to leave 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.
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 PKR president Anwar Ibrahim 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.
MACC investigation
The former economy minister is also the subject of two MACC investigations. The first concerns a government deal with British semiconductor giant Arm Holdings, in which he is accused of hastening an agreement that allegedly cost the government 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.
Rafizi had claimed that the government was using the MACC to intimidate him.
The former PKR deputy president 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. - Mkini
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