(Serdang 11th) The current Deputy President of the People's Justice Party, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, stated that if he fails to defend the position of Deputy President in the upcoming party elections, he will resign from his position as Minister of Economy.
Rafizi said that resigning from the ministerial position would actually be a relief for him as it would free him from the constraints borne by a minister, allowing him to freely respond to various issues.
He continued that it would also give him the opportunity to focus on fulfilling his duties as a Member of Parliament and help the Justice Party prepare for the 16th General Election.
Rafizi, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Pandan constituency, made this statement on Saturday (May 10) night while participating in a podcast program at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council multipurpose hall in Serdang.
"If I lose, I will resign from the ministerial position and return to being an ordinary Member of Parliament."
Rafizi added that his resignation would not affect the stability of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar's unity government.
He complained that being a minister meant he had to bear a lot of responsibilities, and his "mouth and hands" were tied.
He cited the example of the Anti-Corruption Commission's chairman, Tan Sri Azam Baki, being renewed for another year, saying that because he is a member of the government, even if he personally disagrees with this, he can only remain silent.
"If I publicly express my opinion, it would go against conduct because this decision was made by the Prime Minister (and the cabinet must collectively bear it), so I must stay silent."
The nomination for the Central Party election of the Justice Party closed yesterday, with the contest for Deputy President becoming the main focus, as Minister of Economy Rafizi seeks to defend his current position against a challenge from Nurul Izzah.
Rafizi said that resigning from the ministerial position would actually be a relief for him as it would free him from the constraints borne by a minister, allowing him to freely respond to various issues.
He continued that it would also give him the opportunity to focus on fulfilling his duties as a Member of Parliament and help the Justice Party prepare for the 16th General Election.
Rafizi, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Pandan constituency, made this statement on Saturday (May 10) night while participating in a podcast program at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council multipurpose hall in Serdang.
"If I lose, I will resign from the ministerial position and return to being an ordinary Member of Parliament."
Rafizi added that his resignation would not affect the stability of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar's unity government.
He complained that being a minister meant he had to bear a lot of responsibilities, and his "mouth and hands" were tied.
He cited the example of the Anti-Corruption Commission's chairman, Tan Sri Azam Baki, being renewed for another year, saying that because he is a member of the government, even if he personally disagrees with this, he can only remain silent.
"If I publicly express my opinion, it would go against conduct because this decision was made by the Prime Minister (and the cabinet must collectively bear it), so I must stay silent."
The nomination for the Central Party election of the Justice Party closed yesterday, with the contest for Deputy President becoming the main focus, as Minister of Economy Rafizi seeks to defend his current position against a challenge from Nurul Izzah.