PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed speculation that Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli is stepping down from his post, clarifying that the PKR deputy president is simply on leave.
"It's just for a few days. Let him take leave, there's no issue," Anwar told reporters after Friday prayers at Masjid Bandar Saujana Putra. Today.
Responding to media queries over Rafizi’s absence, which had triggered rumours of a resignation, Anwar was unequivocal.
"Is there even such a question about whether someone is allowed to take leave?" he said.
Jokingly, Anwar added, "I also want to take a few days off. I haven't taken leave yet… maybe after this ASEAN Summit, I'll take a short break."
A cabinet minister had earlier confirmed to news portal Malaysiakini, under anonymity, that Rafizi had informed the cabinet of his leave and had not submitted any resignation.
“There has been no resignation, and these rumours are entirely false,” the minister said.
The clarification comes at a time of growing tensions within PKR following divisional election results that saw several of Rafizi’s allies lose out on key positions.
Anwar, who also leads the party, said independent auditors have been appointed to assess allegations of irregularities in the party elections.
“Complaints were made, we took note of them, and now, there are international auditors checking (the matter) in case there is validity (to the complaints),” he said.
PKR elections committee chair Dr Zaliha Mustafa confirmed that re-elections will be held in four divisions — Jempol, Selayang, Silam and Semporna — on May 1
Among those who failed to retain their positions were vice-presidents Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and K Saraswathy, as well as Youth chief Adam Adli and several MPs.
The vendor managing PKR’s e-voting system has denied any irregularities, with a source saying, “In the PKR central leadership council meeting on Wednesday (23 April), the vendor explained how the e-voting system works. The auditing company also provided an explanation.”
“In general, they deny there was any element of malpractice or manipulation on their part,” the source added.
Under PKR’s revised delegate system, around 30,000 delegates from 222 divisions will vote to select 20 central leadership council members and six top positions — president, deputy president, and four vice-presidents. - May 2, 2025
