Winning PKR deputy president would be a shock, 'might give me a heart attack,' says Rafizi

JOHOR BAHRU – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli jokingly remarked that he might be so shocked he would suffer a “heart attack” if he manages to retain his position in the upcoming party elections scheduled for this Friday.

Rafizi, who is contesting the deputy president post against Nurul Izzah Anwar, said he fully expects to lose, claiming the outcome has already been "arranged" behind the scenes.

"Although my campaign has gone well and the response has been encouraging, with 80 to 90 per cent support based on comments from netizens and party members, just imagine if I actually win. I might be done for.

"I know I’m not going to win. I’m not foolish. I’m not new to this. I’ve been in politics since 1999 and have gone through many party elections.

"If, by some chance, I do win, I might suffer a heart attack! Because knowing how things have been orchestrated, the signal is clear: I’m going to lose. And I have no issue with that,” he said during a speech at the Jelajah Hiruk programme held at a hotel here on Tuesday night.

Rafizi said that any potential loss would not be due to a lack of support but rather because of what he described as flaws in the party’s election system.

He said that based on support observed at the grassroots (branch) level, he is confident he could otherwise retain his position.

“That’s why from the start I told you lot who come to my ceramahs, be ready to ‘chop heads’. Are you up for it or not?” he said, half-jokingly.

The Pandan MP also expressed his confusion and disappointment over how his boldness in criticising and exposing weaknesses is now frowned upon, despite being previously praised for the same approach when he was in the opposition.

He sarcastically referred to the label ‘sewer mouth’ that had been thrown at him, stressing that his outspoken nature and willingness to raise difficult issues have always been part of his political principles.

“Don’t forget, you used to call me ‘sewer mouth’. When I was in the opposition, it was this same mouth that exposed scandal after scandal.

“And everyone loved it when this ‘sewer mouth’ went after the government and revealed corruption. PKR and Pakatan Harapan members were all for it,” he said.

Now, however, when he raises weaknesses within his own party in an effort to improve things, some people want him to stay quiet.

“Some people still sympathise with me, fair enough. But the moment I start pointing out our own flaws, suddenly I’m told to watch my mouth. It’s not allowed anymore,” he added.

Rafizi, who is also the Economy Minister, previously said he is prepared to step down from his Cabinet position should he fail to defend his post as PKR Deputy President in this Friday’s internal election.

He stated that this decision was made out of respect for the grassroots mandate, though he affirmed that he would continue to serve as Pandan MP, even if he is no longer part of the Cabinet.