FORMER economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s recent statement in response to columnist Liyana Marzuki reads like both a farewell and a warning shot.
He positions himself as the conscience of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) — the reformist who refuses to bend to political convenience or bow to power.
His message is clear: Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, once the symbol of reform, has become the prisoner of coalition politics, too busy placating UMNO, DAP, and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to deliver real change.
Rafizi’s tone is sharp but layered with nostalgia, reminding Malaysians that he once fought to free Anwar, only to see today’s government replicate old crony patterns.
On Liyana’s comments that his views within the government have caused problems for Anwar, which could make him lose the election, he says this issue has nothing to do with a power grab or ambition to become PM, as the columnist implied.
“The real question is how far and how fast we are willing to implement change, as we once championed from outside the government. Anwar often gives various reasons — that if we do certain things, UMNO will be angry; if we touch on others, DAP will be upset; if we fix something else, GPS won’t be happy.
“That is where his frustration towards me began — because he is so focused on winning a second term, no matter the cost.
“To him, keeping UMNO, DAP, GPS and other vested interests happy seems more important than anything else,” he said while intervening in the regular podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri.
He touched on the issue of loyalty and priority, which should not be to any individual, “but to the vision we carry. In any case, the issue of loyalty should not even arise.”
“Haven’t the decades of struggle — from our youth—dedicated to PKR and to him, much of it while he was in prison, proven our loyalty enough?”
Rafizi also blasted those who, during the first Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, “kissed former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s hand (as many PKR, DAP, and Amanah leaders did at the time), or to side with former minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to challenge Anwar right after 14th General Election?”
The emotional undercurrent runs deeper — he subtly contrasts his sacrifices with former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s closeness to Anwar, implying that loyalty now means obedience, not principle.
Rafizi casts himself as the true reformist torchbearer, unbought and unbowed, even if it means political exile.
Looking ahead, Rafizi seems ready to walk a lonely but defiant road — outside PKR’s inner circle, yet still influential in shaping the reformist narrative.
His statement may mark the beginning of a split: PKR’s loyalists around Anwar versus the purists who still believe in reformasi’s original spirit.
Juicy, yes — because Rafizi isn’t just questioning power; he’s reminding Malaysia that even reformers can go stale, as he reveals how Anwar was against the formation of the PH since he believed PKR could not win the elections without the PAS. — Oct 18, 2025
Main photo credit: Bernama
