Latest news with #Rafizi Ramli
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Changes in govt hasn't boosted Bumiputera middle class, says Rafizi
The statistics department recently said the Bumiputera community is expected to grow from 69.4% in 2020 to 79.4% in 2060, while the Chinese and Indian communities are projected to decline to 14.8% and 4.7%, respectively. PETALING JAYA : Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli says successive changes in government have failed to improve the productivity of the Bumiputera middle class, a key issue he believes lies at the heart of Malay insecurity. Speaking on the latest episode of the Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast, the Pandan MP said boosting Bumiputera participation and performance in the economy was crucial not only for long-term development, but also for bridging racial divides and achieving political stability. 'We've had many changes in government, but we still haven't managed to energise the Bumiputera middle class to be as productive and dynamic as the Chinese middle class,' he said. 'If we can close that gap, we'll reduce economic insecurity. And when you reduce that insecurity, Malays will stop saying things like 'habis la kita' (we're doomed).' Rafizi said Malaysia's political polarisation is deeply tied to economic disparities, especially among ethnic groups. 'When we talk about the economy, population breakdown matters — because that's your market. 'As the Bumiputera population grows, their role in strengthening the economy becomes more important,' he said. He said this was the rationale behind the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (Putera35), which was designed to improve Bumiputera participation in the economy without sidelining other communities. Rafizi stressed that the initiative was not about increasing entitlement or promoting ethnic quotas, such as insisting all CEOs must be Malay. Instead, he said Putera35 was meant to create policies that are fair, sustainable and result-oriented. He added that closing the economic gap was a more effective path to political stability than relying on campaign speeches before general elections. Earlier this month, the statistics department said Malaysia's population is projected to peak at 42.38 million in 2059 before gradually declining. The Bumiputera community is expected to grow from 69.4% in 2020 to 79.4% in 2060, while the Chinese and Indian communities are projected to decline to 14.8% and 4.7%, respectively.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Not their home any more': Rafizi warns PKR risks Umno-style exodus over grassroots anger after party polls
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has reportedly cautioned that rising dissatisfaction among grassroots party members could lead to an exodus that similarly plagued Umno during the 1998 Reformasi movement. Malaysiakini cited him from his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri suggesting that the discontent stems from the recent PKR party elections, where members questioned the transparency of the process. 'In the madness of grabbing power or positions, don't let it come to making people feel like this is not [their] home any more,' he reportedly said, adding that this will be dangerous to the party. 'When they've moved on, it's not easy to ask them to come back,' he added. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister was sacked in 1998 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — leading to the Reformasi movement and formation of PKR. Meanwhile, Rafizi was recently defeated in the PKR number two post by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah. He and fellow loser Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad both quit their Cabinet posts, citing the party's loss of trust in them. Since then, he has since one of the biggest critics of Anwar's administration, from issues ranging from the 13th Malaysia Plan to judicial independence. Yesterday, Rafizi led nine PKR MPs to remind the government that the need to strengthen the judicial appointment process continues, despite the finalised top judicial appointments. Rafizi had similar stepped down from politics in 2018 after he was defeated by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be Anwar's deputy in PKR — before returning to the post and active politics in 2022.
Malay Mail
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sec-gen Fuziah: PKR to accept member complaints despite lack of disciplinary board
PETALING JAYA, July 22 — PKR will continue to receive complaints against party members despite its disciplinary board not yet being reconstituted, its secretary-general Fuziah Salleh reportedly said. She said this followed enquiries from members on filing misconduct reports after the recently concluded party elections. 'We are not trying to curb our members from speaking out [against their contemporaries in the party]. They have every right to submit their complaints,' she was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. 'There is still room for members to file disciplinary reports on other members.' Fuziah said the party constitution contains a clause allowing the central leadership council to scrutinise and decide on such complaints directly. She added that the council's upcoming meeting on July 27 would serve as a platform to handle any pressing issues. Fuziah also said the party's internal restructuring efforts would not hinder members from seeking redress through existing channels. Last week, PKR Communications Director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has no intention of taking action against several PKR MPs who have expressed differing views on certain issues. Fahmi said Anwar, who is also prime minister, urged party members and branch leaders to respect those differing opinions and move forward together to strengthen the party. Yesterday, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli defended his recent criticisms of the government and the judiciary, stressing that holding one's own party accountable is a greater test of leadership than confronting political opponents. Rafizi said he faced discomfort from PKR leaders, including a memo by Fuziah suggesting that questioning the judiciary implies a loss of confidence in Anwar. After resigning as economy ministe, Rafizi has since become one of the biggest critics of the Anwar administration, saying he no longer needs to hold back as a backbencher.
Free Malaysia Today
19-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar should stay on as PM for political stability, says Rafizi
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said a stable government is needed to manage the current economic challenges and complete the current term. PETALING JAYA : Anwar Ibrahim should remain as prime minister until the end of his term to ensure political stability amid economic uncertainty, says former economy minister Rafizi Ramli. Rafizi, who is Pandan MP, said any change in government now could disrupt efforts to manage growing economic challenges, including slowing growth projections across the Asean region. 'We can't have a change of government right now as we're facing serious economic challenges,' he said in the latest episode of the Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast yesterday. He cited forecasts indicating that countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines could see growth drop by 2% to 3%. If Malaysia's growth falls to 3% or lower, it could pose a serious risk to the country over the next one to two years, he said. He said a stable government is needed to manage the situation and complete the current term. Perikatan Nasional has planned a 'Turun Anwar' mass rally for July 26 to push for Anwar's resignation. Organisers claim they expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300. Rafizi also said he has no intention of criticising or embarrassing Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes on Monday. This comes after Anwar said he had no plans to take disciplinary action against PKR MPs who expressed differing views on judicial appointments. Last week, 19 PKR divisions in Johor called for Rafizi and eight other MPs to be suspended after they demanded a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) and a parliamentary hearing into delays in appointing top judicial posts. The nine MPs claimed the matter amounted to a constitutional crisis, an allegation which the Attorney-General's Chambers denied. The AGC also dismissed the call for an RCI, stating that the appointment process was proceeding at the time in accordance with the Federal Constitution. Since then, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has been appointed chief justice, replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired earlier this month. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also consented to the appointments of Abu Bakar Jais as Court of Appeal president and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. All three will be sworn in and receive their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Not their home any more': Rafizi warns PKR risks Umno-style exodus over grassroots anger after party polls
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has reportedly cautioned that rising dissatisfaction among grassroots party members could lead to an exodus that similarly plagued Umno during the 1998 Reformasi movement. Malaysiakini cited him from his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri suggesting that the discontent stems from the recent PKR party elections, where members questioned the transparency of the process. 'In the madness of grabbing power or positions, don't let it come to making people feel like this is not [their] home any more,' he reportedly said, adding that this will be dangerous to the party. 'When they've moved on, it's not easy to ask them to come back,' he added. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister was sacked in 1998 by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — leading to the Reformasi movement and formation of PKR. Meanwhile, Rafizi was recently defeated in the PKR number two post by Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah. He and fellow loser Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad both quit their Cabinet posts, citing the party's loss of trust in them. Since then, he has since one of the biggest critics of Anwar's administration, from issues ranging from the 13th Malaysia Plan to judicial independence. Yesterday, Rafizi led nine PKR MPs to remind the government that the need to strengthen the judicial appointment process continues, despite the finalised top judicial appointments. Rafizi had similar stepped down from politics in 2018 after he was defeated by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be Anwar's deputy in PKR — before returning to the post and active politics in 2022.
