KUALA LUMPUR – Despite speculation surrounding his resignation from the Cabinet following the recent PKR elections, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli appeared composed as he performed his duties at the 46th Asean Summit held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Tuesday.
The Economy Minister was present at the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, which commenced at 8am.
Rafizi attended the summit alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Upon arrival, he shook hands with Anwar and other Asean delegates. Other leaders present included Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The leaders then gathered for a group photo before the summit began. Anwar stood next to Marcos and Prabowo, while Rafizi was positioned beside Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
Marcos subsequently delivered the opening speech before the closed-door session commenced.
The second day of the Asean Summit will feature the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit.
On May 10, Rafizi had publicly stated his willingness to resign from his Cabinet post if he failed to retain his position as PKR Deputy President in the party election held on May 24.
Rafizi indicated he would then return to serve as a grassroots leader and actively campaign for the party.
The Pandan MP ultimately lost to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the contest for PKR Deputy President. – AWANI