Rafizi says he can't change PKR from the newly adopted culture
Rafizi also expressed pessimism about PKR's ability to reform its internal culture, suggesting it may be time for him to move on.
'If I can change (the culture), great. But I don't think I can. So if we've reached that stage, we should both move on,' he said.
Though he did not specify what he meant by 'that culture', Rafizi had previously accused Nurul Izzah of aligning with money politics factions within the party to secure her deputy presidency win, despite her earlier concerns about these groups.
He claimed these factions prioritise positions and use money politics, contradicting PKR's reform agenda. Rafizi added that Nurul Izzah had privately expressed worries about their unethical practices but later worked with them for electoral success, leaving her responsible for dealing with their influence in the party.
In May, Rafizi also questioned how former MIC treasurer R. Ramanan rose rapidly in PKR, noting that within six months of joining, he was fielded as an election candidate, appointed deputy minister in under two years, and is now vying for a vice-president post.
He contrasted this with long-serving PKR members who waited years for similar opportunities, emphasising that genuine service earns grassroots support over time.
Meanwhile, Rafizi hinted that he might leave PKR if he is not a candidate in the next general election, adding that he has yet to decide whether to contest for a third term as MP.
'I didn't even say that I will even contest in the next (general) election. I don't have any intention to participate (yet) … I actually haven't made a decision whether to contest in the next general election or not,' he said on his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast. — July 5, 2025
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Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Rafizi, the rakyat is with you
YOURSAY | 'RCI the only way for Anwar to clear himself.' PKR MPs call for RCI on judiciary, fear new VK Lingam-esque scandal HLT34: Bravo, Rafizi Ramli and your comrades! This is what the rakyat expect our elected MPs to do - voice out our fears before things get out of hand. Don't let VK Lingam's Saga 2.0 happen. I wish more MPs would stand together with Rafizi, even the newly minted PKR deputy Nurul Izzah Anwar. For Rafizi and your comrades, be prepared to be sacked or charged. But please remember, the rakyat is with you. Mazhilamani: Two things are very clear: One, there is a build-up of a faction in PKR; two, the delay in appointing replacements for retiring top judges as proposed by the then CJ, is beginning to look contentious. The PM's motive is in question. I don't think Rafizi and the other PKR MPs are getting personal with the prime minister. They just want the PM to carry out the reformasi he promised nearly three decades ago, to cleanse the politics, which is starting to bleed the country. The time is now when he is still the PM. As I had mentioned earlier, it is best for MPs to make an honest decision. Mechi: I know we can count on Rafizi. His mantra is rakyat and nation come first. I cannot trust the PM anymore. If Malaysia wants to change, we need qualified leaders with integrity. The PM does not have it, like his Umno stooges. We hope the rakyat will stand against corruption. Otherwise, all the court charges against Umno leaders will be DNAA (dismissal not amounting to an acquittal). Times are interesting for both PKR and Umno. Corruption seems to be the common denominator. Undecided: When PMX prioritises dubious politics over fundamental principles of good governance, it is not surprising that he will get himself into a bind. A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is the only way he can clear himself. Keep up the pressure, Rafizi and co. Rakyat will support your call for action. RedHamster4450: I beg to differ. Now that Rafizi is no longer in the cabinet, he's reverted to his previous self - activist and using his voice to bring attention to issues which plague Malaysia. Not being a cabinet minister or deputy president of PKR is not the end of the road, just new beginnings. After all, look at KJ (Khairy Jamaluddin), kena tendang parti (got kicked out of the party), but his following is larger than ever. MarioT: The Judicial Appointment Commission's (JAC) recommendations were totally ignored by the 'dictatorial' actions of our globetrotting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The judiciary is in limbo with no clear leadership at the top. Anwar thinks and behaves like his one-time long-serving mentor. The judiciary is the most honoured and respected custodian of the laws of the country, and if it is treated as unimportant and if it is manipulated by the PM, then he has failed his duty to upkeep decorum and order within the judiciary. There was ample time to decide to extend the term of service of the retiring chief justice (Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat), and other senior judges or find replacements for the vacant posts. However, the PM, due to his own self-serving reasons, kept silent and did not endorse JAC's dutiful and adjudicated recommendations. If he cannot prioritise his work and spends more time on overseas trips of little value, it is time he is replaced. Once in power, he forgets the rakyat have placed him in that position and that they can also remove him for having lost confidence in him Bobbyo: PKR needs to replace their leader if it wants to make an impact at the next election. Anwar has led the nation down by kowtowing to the demands of Umno. He appears to be showing or repeating the unpopular decisions made by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad. There seems to be so much of Umno and Mahathir's DNA that flows through Anwar. The people feel that they have been let down very badly. This act of not renewing the service of our former CJ points to the fact that Anwar may have either something to fear, or he wants only those who toe the line to be in position. The recent extension of Azam Baki's tenure as MACC chief commissioner, the promotion of a junior officer (special branch director) to the level of IGP (Khalid Ismail), and now allegedly interfering in the judicial process show that PMX wants only 'yes' men or women in positions. The judiciary, the last pillar that holds this nation, will collapse if it is compromised by judges with no integrity. It is time an RCI be set up to investigate all the complaints. To make sure that there is no political power in play in the selection of compromised judges. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Rakyat Post
12 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
Senior PKR MPs Demand Royal Commission Over Judge Appointment Allegations
Subscribe to our FREE Nine PKR parliamentarians have called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious allegations surrounding judicial appointments, drawing parallels to Malaysia's 2007 VK Lingam video scandal amid claims of attempted influence over court decisions and judge appointments. The demand was made during a special press conference on Monday, where the MPs outlined a comprehensive six-point action plan, including parliamentary investigations, nationwide public forums, and cross-party mobilisation, to address what they termed a crisis threatening judicial independence. Former PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli detailed four specific allegations requiring government explanation: First, nominations for new judges across all court levels submitted by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to the government have not been addressed appropriately, resulting in urgent vacancies. Second, nominations for the Chief Justice and Court of Appeal President positions had already been decided by JAC before Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's retirement and submitted to the Prime Minister; however, appointments were not made, resulting in the current vacancies. Third, a JAC meeting was called last Friday without adhering to the required 10-day notice period to make fresh nominations for vacant positions. Most seriously, a Federal Court judge was summoned to a previous JAC meeting to explain allegations of attempting to influence case decisions and judge transfers – claims now substantiated by a police report filed by the judge. Echoes of the VK Lingam Scandal The MPs drew explicit parallels to the 2007 VK Lingam video scandal, noting that the Federal Court judge called before JAC was a former special officer to Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim in 2003—the same former Chief Justice implicated in the original scandal. 'The last time the judicial institution was embroiled in controversy involving allegations of influence over case decisions and judge appointments was the VK Lingam video scandal in 2007,' the MPs stated in their joint declaration. This historical connection has raised concerns among legal practitioners and civil society about potential attempts to influence judicial appointments and court decisions, mirroring the earlier scandal. Beyond demanding a Royal Commission, the MPs outlined an extensive response strategy. They will formally request that Parliament's Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform investigate, including summoning the Prime Minister for testimony. A formal letter will be sent to the committee chairman, William Leong, and all members. MPs Launch Multi-Pronged Campaign Strategy The group plans to mobilise cross-party parliamentary support and launch nationwide public forums, beginning in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor on Sunday, 13 July, at 8:30 PM, before expanding to major cities nationwide. An online petition will be launched to demonstrate public support for defending judicial independence. Appointments to fill key judicial vacancies should be based on previous JAC proceedings rather than new nominations made amid the current controversy. The statement was jointly signed by nine PKR parliamentarians: Rafizi Ramli (Pandan), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), and Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat). Timing Amid Leadership Transition The allegations emerge during a critical transition period for Malaysia's judiciary. Tengku Maimun concluded her historic tenure as the country's first female Chief Justice on Wednesday after six years of service. The Federal Court's Chief Registrar's Office announced Thursday that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim would exercise Chief Justice powers under Article 131A of the Federal Constitution and relevant provisions of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. The MPs urged Malaysians to pay attention to the controversy despite other competing issues, emphasising its significant future impact on the country and its citizens. We call on all Malaysians to pay attention to this issue which has major implications for the people and country in the future, even though it may seem trivial amid various other issues. The controversy represents a test of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration's commitment to judicial independence—a cornerstone principle of both PKR and Pakatan Harapan's political platform. Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim named as acting CJ today. I remember in 2019, when Tun Richard Malanjum retired on 12 April, Tun Tengku Maimun was appointed as CJ on 2 May, some weeks later. I cannot recall at the time whether an acting CJ was appointed. — Syahredzan Johan (@syahredzan) Constitutional Framework The appointment arrangement was made in accordance with Article 131A of the Federal Constitution, as well as provisions under Section 9(1)(b) and Section 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 [Act 91]. The constitutional provisions ensure continuity in judicial leadership during transition periods; however, the allegations by PKR MPs raise concerns about the broader appointment process beyond this immediate arrangement. The PKR parliamentarians' demand for a Royal Commission reflects growing calls for transparency in judicial appointments, a critical component of Malaysia's separation of powers and judicial independence. Their allegations, if substantiated, could raise questions about the government's handling of judicial nominations and adherence to established procedures in the appointment process. The phrase "Soft strength wields the strongest power" finds its living embodiment in Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Malaysia's first female Chief Justice, whose tenure has been marked not by flamboyance or force, but by quiet integrity, calm command, and unshakable adherence to… — Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Focus Malaysia
19 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
PSM hails Rafizi's team of 9 PKR MPs who break rank by calling for RCI to avert judiciary crisis
PARTI Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has applauded former PKR deputy president and Pandan MP and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli for having opened the door to the notion that every elected MP is entitled to his/her own conscience vote of not to toeing their party's line if the situation warrants it. Such action of breaking rank from the party whip is an important democratic right of an elected MPs which is hardly practiced in the Malaysian democracy as party reps are bound by party discipline, according to PSM deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan 'Currently it seems thatr only (Pasir Gudang MP) Hassan Karim leverages his conscience vote,' observed Arutchelvan in a reaction to the Rafizi-led nine PKR MPs (including himself) calling for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe allege irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the Chief Justice. 'While I concur that party discipline is essential for a party yet on serious issues of public interest such as the freedom of judiciary, it is essential for MPs to vote according to their conscience or have a mechanism in their own parliamentary set-up to seek feedback from their electorate.' The nine PKR MPs also formally requested that proceedings and an inquiry be conducted by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, including top government officials to testify. They are Rafizi; Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Kik Ahmad; Subang MP Wong Chen; Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail; Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan; Balik Pulau MP Datuk Bakhtiar Wan Chik; Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh; Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan; and Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar. Stressing as to why it is essential and critical that the Malaysian judiciary is independent and robust, Arutchelvan added: 'We also need to have the long overdue separation of the Attorney-General (AG) and the Public Prosecutor which is said to be sitting in the cabinet but not put to parliament yet. 'With all these matters pending, we hope all MPs in the Parliament vote with their conscience to safeguard our pillars of democracy. We have walked this path before and we hope the current PM will adhere to these aspirations.' – July 7, 2025 Main image credit: Malay Mail
