Rafizi, Nik Nazmi to announce new 'political direction' on Sunday

 

As Pakatan Harapan leaders prepare to project strength in Johor this Sunday for the coalition’s annual convention, former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli today announced that he will unveil his new “political direction” at a separate event on the same day.

In a public invitation to his event at the PJ Performing Arts Centre in Petaling Jaya, the Pandan MP said he will be joined by former PKR vice-president and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

“The past year has given both of us the space to consider various views, considerations, and factors in deciding our next political direction,” said Rafizi.

“This announcement event is open to the public.

“I invite Malaysians from across the country and from all walks of life who wish to nurture a progressive political movement to attend this event together,” said Rafizi, who also shared a registration link for the event, which will start at 2pm.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi quit as ministers in May last year after losing their party positions in the PKR polls.

Rafizi, now the subject of an MACC probe into a RM1.1 billion semiconductor deal with UK-based Arm Holdings, had previously challenged PKR to sack him after the party issued him with two show-cause letters.

The former economy minister had also declared that he no longer had any interest in matters linked to PKR, amid allegations from certain quarters within the party accusing him of “sabotage” attempts, the most recent being the source of leaked findings from an internal study on the winnability of PKR-held seats.

‘Sailing their own ship’

In February, Rafizi indicated that he would be defending his Pandan seat, but not likely as a PKR candidate.

He also hinted that he and his allies are open to “sailing their own ship”, while eyeing a June deadline to announce a plan for disenchanted voters.

Since then, speculation has been rife that Rafizi may announce the formation of a new political party to contest the upcoming 16th general election.

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, apart from their duties as PKR MPs, also retained influence over public discourse through their individual podcast series.

With the anti-party-hopping provisions, any announcement to quit the party will result in both losing their parliamentary seats.

However, no by-election will be held, as the term has passed the three-year mark, with speculation that a general election could be held by the end of this year. - Mkini