Rafizi and Nik Nazmi's resignations a protest against "blatant nepotism" - Analyst
Nik Nazmi likely shares the same sentiment as Rafizi. Having lost his position in the party, he may feel there’s little reason to remain in the Cabinet.
SHAH ALAM – The resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the Cabinet send a troubling signal, not only to PKR but also to the public.
Political analyst James Chin said that, in principle, party members who lose internal elections should still unite to present a united front.
However, this situation runs deeper than expected. He stated the matter was especially troubling because many were not expecting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be involved in what he characterised as blatant nepotism within the party.
“There was really huge unhappiness about the way Anwar quietly supported Nur (Nurul Izzah) to be number two.
"I think they're trying to send a message that this is not acceptable, not only in PKR, but they will not go along with it,” he said when contacted today.
Chin believes Nik Nazmi likely shares the same sentiment as Rafizi. Having lost his position in the party, he may feel there’s little reason to remain in the Cabinet.
However, Chin stated that ministerial appointments are ultimately the Prime Minister’s prerogative.
The departure of these two senior and founding members of PKR sends a deeply unsettling signal about the state of the party.
Meanwhile, Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun expressed disappointment over Nik Nazmi’s resignation from the Cabinet, describing it as the loss of a leader he considers to have prime ministerial potential.
Oh, also a political analyst who has known Nik Nazmi for over two decades, said the decision while unfortunate, reflects political accountability.
“It is thus sad to see him leave the Cabinet. As he owes his Cabinet position to his party post, he is being politically responsible in resigning,” he said.
Rafizi officially tendered his resignation as Economy Minister, effective June 17 and will use his remaining annual leave until then.
In a statement, he said his resignation follows his recent defeat in the PKR party elections, leaving him without a mandate to continue driving the party’s agenda in government.
Shortly after, Nik Nazmi announced his resignation as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, effective July 4.
He cited his loss in the PKR polls, pointing out that his Cabinet role was closely linked to his former position as a party vice president.
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