Rafizi urges PKR leaders in govt to not neglect party work

 

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli urged party leaders and elected representatives appointed to hold positions at the federal and state governments not to neglect the role they need to play in the party.

Rafizi said that he understands the responsibilities of being part of the government but party leaders need to realise that if not for the party, members, and party machinery, they would not win the election and be given positions in government.

He said that elected representatives and leaders who are appointed as ministers, deputy ministers, and political secretaries need to divide their time wisely, and the same thing needs to be applied to those who hold positions at the state government level.

“Sometimes we get carried away with the official affairs (of the ministry) alone, we work in the ministry or the state government, from 8am to 6pm. However, we still have time, from 6pm to 12 midnight, daily and there is still time on Saturdays and Sundays for the party and the people,” he said while speaking at the Kedah and Penang PKR Election Convention last night.

Rafizi said, however, those who were appointed ministers were not necessarily forgetful but were carried away by their official duties, affecting their party roles.

Rafizi, who is economy minister, said those who are appointed to various positions in the government also need to maintain their style and mannerism similar to when the party was in opposition, by continuously getting to know the people.

“If all of a sudden, now that we have posts in the state and federal governments, and our (personal style) changes, that’s the end of us,” he said.

Therefore, he reminded party members who intend to contest as a candidate in the upcoming state elections, to think about a suitable way to get to know the people.

In another development, Rafizi stressed that PKR needs to defend its five state seats in Kedah which had been held by the party since 2008. The seats are Sidam, Bakar Arang, Bukit Selambau, Kulim, and Lunas.

However, he admitted that it would be a huge challenge for the party to retain the seats due to the shift in Malay support to Perikatan Nasional as shown in the 15th general election.

- Bernama