SELANGOR Islamic Affairs Executive Councillor Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah expressed confidence that Rafizi is not the type of leader to be disheartened or act emotionally simply because several of his allies lost in the party’s recent branch-level contests.
“Rafizi is a rational and principled individual. I am confident he would not make a hasty decision that would ultimately be to his own detriment without carefully considering its wider impact.
“In fact, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has already clarified that Rafizi is merely on extended leave for personal reasons, and this has no effect whatsoever on the functioning of the government machinery,” he told Sinar Ahad.
Commenting on speculation that Rafizi’s extended leave is linked to disappointment over the party’s election outcomes, Fahmi dismissed such claims as mere conjecture.
“I see the rumours about Rafizi wanting to resign as an attempt by external parties to destabilise PKR and sow division within the party. If such rumours come from within, perhaps it’s from individuals who are not aligned with Rafizi or who may be planning to challenge him in the next party elections,” he added.
Media reports previously alleged that Rafizi had expressed his intention to step down during a closed-door meeting with supporters following a PKR Central Leadership Council (MPP) meeting on April 23.
However, sources denied claims that he had vacated his ministerial office.
Chinese-language daily Sin Chew Daily also reported that Rafizi was said to be dissatisfied with what he perceived as a lack of transparency in the party’s election process. He has reportedly proposed that an external international audit firm be appointed to examine the election results. The findings of that audit are expected to be revealed in early May.
Several PKR branches have already held re-elections, which resulted in changes for three branch chief positions – in Selayang (Selangor), Jempol (Negeri Sembilan), and Pasir Salak (Perak).
Meanwhile, the nomination dates for PKR’s Central Leadership Council have been postponed from May 3–4 to May 8–9.
Rafizi has officially applied for a one-month leave of absence, with Anwar stating that he will be on leave until May 31 and that there are no issues concerning his status.
Fahmi also admitted that the initial results of the party’s branch elections were disappointing.
“For that reason, many leaders, including myself, have lodged formal objections and requested the Party Election Committee (JPP) to hold a re-vote,” he said.
Fahmi, who is also the Member of the Selangor State Assembly for Seri Setia, lost in his bid to become Deputy Chief of the PKR Petaling Jaya branch, receiving 2,684 votes compared to the incumbent Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik’s 2,819.
Separately, the Political Secretary to the Finance Minister, Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, also refuted claims that Rafizi was preparing to resign.
“That’s not true,” he said succinctly. - May 4, 2025
