Rafizi clears out office, stands firm on resignation decision
Rafizi expressed his gratitude to the five officers who assisted him in developing economic initiatives under the Economy Ministry.
SHAH ALAM – Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli announced that Friday marked his final day entering the office to wrap up affairs and pack up, seemingly signalling that his decision to resign is final.
He said he also took the opportunity to express gratitude to five officers who had helped him develop economic initiatives under the Economy Ministry.
All five, he said, were policy officers whom he had personally convinced to leave their previous careers to contribute their services and expertise to his office.
'I went to the office for the last time yesterday and today (Friday) to complete final tasks, including packing up.
'From chillies to semiconductors, to the startup ecosystem, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ), the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the progressive wage policy, all the way to the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), they helped translate my ideas into implementable plans. Now, they will return to their respective fields,' he said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said he was still giving time to the two ministers who had resigned to reconsider their decisions before officially leaving the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister expressed that he would prefer if both Rafizi and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad rejoined his Cabinet. '...let them think about it... If possible, I would like them to rejoin (the Cabinet),' he said. Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli resigns as Economy Minister, effective June 17, 2025. - Photo by Bernama
Rafizi also listed the five officers who had greatly guided him throughout his duties.
'I learned a lot from them, perhaps more than they learned from me. My thanks go to endocrinology specialist and University of Cambridge graduate Dr Azraai Bahari Nasruddin, who also holds an additional degree in Informatics from UCL. First-class honours. He worked in the UK for many years before returning to Malaysia in 2014.
'Next, Benjamin Quek, a graduate in banking and finance from Monash University with an MSc in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. Formerly a fund manager. Also, James Chai, best law student from the University of London and Master of Law from the University of Oxford, with first-class honours. He previously worked in the legal and tech sectors and is also a book author.
'Ismat Qayyum, a first-class graduate in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) from the London School of Economics (LSE), previously worked in the banking sector. And Haqimi Zamri, who holds a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham. He had run a social enterprise from a young age,' he added.
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The lines that once clearly demarcated the judiciary from politics have become blurred. What makes this dilution even more dangerous is its normalisation. When interference becomes the norm, public trust erodes. When the people no longer believe in the courts, they stop seeking justice through formal institutions. That's when chaos, vigilantism, and social unrest can begin to take root. A call to action This is why Rafizi Ramli's petition is more than just a symbolic gesture. It is a concrete step toward restoring faith in our institutions. By signing this petition, Malaysians can collectively voice their demand for a judiciary that is free from interference, transparent in its workings, and accountable only to the law and the Constitution. His appeal reminds us that the judiciary does not belong to any one party, government, or ideology it belongs to the people. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect it, just as it is the judiciary's responsibility to protect our rights and liberties. The independence of the judiciary is not an issue for lawyers, politicians, or legal scholars alone. It is an issue for every Malaysian who believes in fairness, accountability, and the rule of law. Whether you are a student, a teacher, a business owner, or a civil servant, the integrity of the judiciary affects your life more than you may realise. A just nation begins with a just judiciary The stakes are high. If we continue down the path of compromised judicial independence, we risk turning our legal system into a mere extension of political power. When courts no longer function as neutral arbiters, justice becomes selective, and democracy begins to crumble. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can and must demand better. Supporting Rafizi Ramli's petition is a meaningful first step in reclaiming the judiciary as a true bastion of justice. Let us come together, not as partisans or cynics, but as citizens united by a shared belief in fairness and accountability. Let us not wait until the erosion becomes irreversible. Let us act now, for the sake of justice, for the future of Malaysia, and for the generations to come. An independent judiciary is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Without it, there can be no justice. And without justice, there can be no nation worth building. ‒ July 14, 2025 R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image:
