Can Rafizi work his magic for Malaysia?

 Rafizi Ramli’s possible new party may excite voters, but he must still answer questions about his record in government and his ability to work with others.

Many Malaysians, myself included, are waiting with bated breath for Rafizi Ramli’s promised announcement of a new political direction, expected this Sunday.

Will he form a new party? If so, how many candidates will it field at the next general election? More importantly, will it challenge Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional all at once?

Are we about to witness a Malaysian remake of David versus Goliath? Perhaps. But that chapter can wait until June.

For now, I have questions of my own.

What is Rafizi’s track record? As economy minister, he introduced programmes such as the Central Database Hub (Padu) and the People’s Income Initiative, which included the vending machine scheme.

These were ambitious ideas. Yet ambition alone is not enough.

A close relative of mine in Bagan Serai has struggled without steady income since 2022, surviving only on family support — not on any assistance I can clearly trace to the economy ministry.

Another couple I know, raising six children, has received help from ordinary Malaysians, but not from Putrajaya.

Perhaps these are isolated cases. But when grand programmes are announced in the capital, the real test is whether they reach families in places like Bagan Serai.

Then there is the vending machine initiative. Have these machines truly become as widespread as once envisioned? Where are they? I have yet to see them in any meaningful number.

To be fair, perhaps Padu and the vending machines needed more time. But Rafizi chose to leave the Cabinet, and since then he has seemed more energetic outside government than he ever appeared inside it.

After losing the PKR deputy presidency and resigning as economy minister, he has turned to his podcast, often criticising his own party and the government.

That is his right. Criticism is healthy. But one wonders what might have happened if the same consistency and sharpness had been applied to Padu and the People’s Income Initiative.

Now let us consider the political possibilities. Suppose Rafizi forms a new party and, by some miracle, wins 20 seats. Will he work with Pakatan Harapan to form the government? Or will he align with PAS or Umno in another unity government?

Politics is strange — after all, Umno and Pakatan Harapan once seemed impossible partners, and yet here we are.

But Rafizi faces one problem: trust. He has yet to show that he is willing to work with any party for the long haul. Whoever partners with him must accept the risk of becoming the next target of his podcast if relations sour.

In truth, Rafizi may find it easier to remain in opposition, armed with data, citations and a microphone.

But politics is not a seminar room. It is about patience, compromise and coalition-building. It means working even with persons one may not like, because the country still needs a government.

Now humour me: what if Rafizi pulls off the miracle of miracles, wins 112 seats and becomes Malaysia’s 11th prime minister? Will he be able to rein in PAS, Umno, Bersatu and others who never shy away from playing the race card or stoking fears about Malay rights?

If he can, I will gladly call it magic. More importantly, it would be good for Malaysia.

So perhaps it is time for Rafizi to put his money where his mouth is and go up against the big boys at the next polls.

That way, Malaysians will not only hear his ideas but also judge whether those ideas can survive the rough and tumble of real politics.

I still hope to see Rafizi’s magic. Many Malaysians do. But magic alone is not enough.

Rafizi must show he can stay the course, finish the reforms he promises, and not raise the white flag midway through. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.