ECONOMY Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has announced his resignation from the Cabinet, effective June 17, 2025, following his defeat in the recent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) elections.
In a statement today, Rafizi confirmed he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and would serve out his remaining time on annual leave until mid-June.
“I joined politics to cultivate a new political culture based on accountability and the people’s mandate. My loss in the recent PKR election means I no longer have the mandate to translate the party’s vision into government programmes,” he said.
Citing democratic norms in established political systems, Rafizi added that leaders who lose their party’s internal mandate should step aside to allow others to lead in government.
During his tenure, Rafizi expressed his appreciation for the support from the Ministry of Economy, praising the capabilities of its civil servants.
“I have seen first-hand the efficiency and competence of many public servants here, who are able to craft sound policies and translate them into impactful programmes,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the ministry’s economic reform initiatives would continue under the stewardship of Malaysia’s public sector.
Rafizi also confirmed that his final task as Minister was the completion of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which is set to be tabled in Parliament at the next sitting.
“RMK13 was drafted to emphasise comprehensive educational reforms, including structural changes within the Ministry of Education. I hope the Cabinet will preserve these bold reforms, even in my absence,” he said.
He concluded by thanking Malaysians, government officials, private sector players, media representatives and all stakeholders he worked with during his time in office.
“Our mission to strengthen the nation’s economic structure and achieve high-income status is far from over. We must continue making long-term decisions, however difficult, for the sake of future generations,” he said.
Rafizi’s resignation is being seen as a rare gesture of political accountability in the region, underscoring his commitment to principled leadership and democratic integrity.
On May 7, Rafizi had disclosed that he had offered to relinquish both his position as Deputy President of PKR and his ministerial role to focus fully on grassroots campaigning ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).
In a statement issued following a week-long leave from his official duties, Rafizi said he had conveyed his intentions in meetings with Anwar and PKR Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“I told them I was prepared not to contest the deputy presidency and not remain in Cabinet so I could campaign freely and more aggressively on the ground,” Rafizi said.
However, both Anwar and Saifuddin were said to have insisted that Rafizi remain in both capacities – within the party leadership and the federal Cabinet – ahead of a critical electoral cycle, at the time.
Rafizi explained that the leave had offered him space to reflect on his dual responsibilities in government and within PKR. During this time, he engaged in strategic discussions with party leadership concerning PKR’s direction and preparations for GE16.
He stressed that his main concern was to strengthen PKR’s connection with the grassroots, which he believed was crucial for the party’s success in the next general election.
His statement offers further insight into the internal deliberations within PKR as the party recalibrates its strategy following internal polls and amid preparations for a potentially pivotal general election. - May 28, 2025
