Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli will be defending his Parliament seat in the next general election, but it likely won't be as a member of PKR.
However, he is keeping his options close to his chest.
"I don't think I will stand as a PKR candidate. I will still contest in Pandan, that I have made up my mind... How I will contest in Pandan, I think that's a secret," he said with a laugh in an interview with Sin Chew Daily.
He said the contest will likely be tough, but winning is not necessarily a major objective for him. Instead, his objective is to ensure the survival of progressive multi-racial politics and continuous political change.
Rafizi has been drifting further and 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 the interview, 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 will deprive his constituents of an MP if he quits the party.
Parliament had passed the cut-off date for by-elections in December.
No party fit for ‘scary’ Rafizi
But it’s not just PKR that Rafizi has no affinity for.
He said that no existing party in the country can handle strong-willed and independent-minded politicians like himself, quipping that these parties would be "scared" to have him and his allies as members.
He 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," Rafizi said.
Rafizi said Khairy was an establishment figure who believes that change can be achieved from being in government, while the Pandan MP is of the opinion that he can have an impact even as an activist or opposition member.
Rafizi's set of PKR allies includes 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).
Ministers Chang Lih Kang and Akmal Nasir are also closely aligned to Rafizi, as is Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
Speculation is rife that PKR is set to take disciplinary action against Rafizi over his criticism of Anwar.
The former economy minister also claims that the government is using the MACC to intimidate him.
Rafizi is 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 large 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. - Mkini
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