Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli claimed that PKR’s “orchestrations” thus far indicate that the party could be pushing for a by-election in his constituency, with the end-goal of unseating him.
This is despite the deadline for such a by-election having passed in December last year.
The former economy minister asserted that if such a by-election is called, former investment, trade, and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz could be fielded as PKR’s candidate to defend the seat.
In explaining his claims, Rafizi pointed to recent statements from party leaders urging him to leave the party, as well as PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s move to perform his Friday prayers in Pandan yesterday.
Insisting that he has never seen Anwar visit Pandan “in his entire life”, Rafizi said his premonition was solidified by an earlier show-cause letter he received from the party accusing him of effectively declaring his resignation.
He added that he was not aware Anwar would be performing the prayers in his constituency, noting he was only informed of the matter from others who had spotted the prime minister.
“This is a legacy and culture from Umno that has been brought into PKR - arranging things to create such a perception… so, when you see all this arranging, it means they already have the end in mind,” Rafizi said on his “Yang Berhenti Menteri” podcast last night.
“My reading is that all this is moving towards the possibility of declaring, on my behalf, that I have left the party… and with (Anwar’s) presence just now, the signal is that Pandan needs to be strengthened for PKR because there is a strong possibility of a by-election,” he claimed.
By-election deadline
Under Article 54 of the Federal Constitution, a by-election must be held if a parliamentary seat becomes vacant. However, this is not required if the vacancy occurs within two years of Parliament’s next scheduled dissolution.
The cut-off date fell on Dec 19 last year, as the first sitting of the current Parliament was on Dec 19, 2022, with the current parliamentary term due to expire no later than Dec 18, 2027.
However, an election must still be held within 60 days if the Dewan Rakyat speaker notifies the Election Commission that a vacancy in the Dewan Rakyat has affected the numerical strength of the ruling party or coalition.
While acknowledging that a by-election in Pandan should not be possible soon, Rafizi quipped that such an event would not be a surprise in the “Madani era”.
“We can’t really be surprised if they go ahead and do it anyway, even though there shouldn’t be a by-election - I mean, this is the Madani era.
“Throughout the period from 2018 until now, we’ve seen all sorts of things. Nothing surprises us anymore in Malaysia.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if all this is moving towards ensuring that there is a by-election even though there shouldn’t be one, with the intention and hope of, let’s finish me off once and for all,” he added.
Rafizi also highlighted that the potential by-election might not necessarily play out in PKR’s favour - especially if he emerges victorious at the ballot box.
He also vowed to defend the Pandan seat to the best of his abilities, stressing that his fight will be backed by the knowledge that the public can see “what is happening”.
“I know Anwar - his thinking, and the people around him - their goal is to defeat me, to the point that I lose my deposit in the (allegedly) upcoming by-election, to push the narrative that ‘without the party, without PKR, he’s nothing’.
“If I lose the seat and lose my deposit, so be it - I’ll just go take a short break at the beach, then come back and keep talking, (but) if I win, then that’s the risk Anwar has taken.”
Rafizi cautioned that his supposed win could be interpreted as a “dangerous signal” for Anwar, PKR, and Pakatan Harapan as a whole.
“If I, just one person with nothing, can contest against the full strength of the government and win against a former minister - Zafrul, someone close to Anwar - that’s dangerous,” he said.
Former Umno leader Zafrul, who joined PKR in June last year, was later appointed to the party’s political bureau as an ex-officio member.
Last month, he was appointed Anwar’s senior political adviser, with the position left vacant since Shamsul Iskandar Akin resigned on Nov 25 last year.
‘Only in PKR’
Reflecting that the supposed moves now are similar to what was used during his fight with Nurul Izzah Anwar for the PKR deputy presidency, Rafizi wryly remarked that if his theory is proven true, this situation will be exclusive to PKR.
“This only happens to PKR - it has never happened in other parties, where the party decides to interpret what is in my heart, all just to avoid sacking me so they do not lose the (parliamentary) seat,” he said.
When contacted for comments on Rafizi’s claims, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh advised the former party deputy president to stop politicking and focus on the country’s challenges first.
“The country is facing the effects of the war in Iran. The government’s main focus is on managing and controlling the impact the country is currently facing and may face in the future.
“For those who are still inclined towards politics, think like a statesman first,” Fuziah said in a short reply.
Malaysiakini also contacted PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and is awaiting a reply.
In February, Rafizi claimed PKR was attempting to pressure him to leave the party so he could be removed as an MP.
This came after PKR issued him a show-cause letter 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.
If Rafizi were to declare his departure from PKR, it would trigger the anti-party-hopping provisions, which would force him to vacate his parliamentary seat, rather than retaining it if he were expelled by the party.
Yesterday, he revealed that PKR had sent him a second show-cause letter dated April 9, with the party’s disciplinary board accusing him of alleged infractions which supposedly tarnished Anwar’s and the party’s name. - Mkini
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