Latest news with #SheratonMove
Sinar Daily
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
When PKR's slow self-destruction and Rafizi's return as rebel is everyone's problem
IF any nation were to mirror the recent political upheaval in Thailand, Malaysia would undoubtedly be a strong contender for such a scenario. Thailand's latest political imbroglio saw Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's tenure abruptly halted, echoing past family scandals and leading to a rapid succession of three changes in leadership within mere days, following a decisive court rulling. This quick transition of power inevitably brings to mind Malaysia's own tumultuous "Sheraton Move," an event that dissolved the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government and installed Perikatan Nasional (PN), ultimately ushering in three different prime ministers over a period of just five years. Now, Malaysia's long-aspired Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faces a significant challenge that could potentially lead to his removal, ironically from within the very ranks of his own party, PKR. Is "reformasi" dream faltering amidst a renewed quest for power within ruling ranks? A faction of nine PKR MPs, spearheaded by none other than former Minister and PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, publicly advocated for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate judicial appointments. While PKR veteran MP Hassan Abdul Karim acknowledged the legitimacy and public interest of the judicial concerns raised, describing them as "the elephant in the room," he couldn't help but ponder the profound implications of such a demand on the current government's stability. Hassan suggested that while these actions might be progressive, radical and popular with the public, a critical question remained: Are these nine MPs truly prepared for the possibility that their actions could bring down Anwar's administration? If so, he argued, it would unequivocally signal a clear revolt taking place within PKR. Frankly, the country seems to be experiencing a growing fatigue with PKR as a political entity and the internal discord it often generates when in power. While Umno experienced a monumental downfall after 61 years of uninterrupted rule, PKR, it seems, consistently struggles to effectively wield power. One only needs to recall past internal tragedies while they were in government, from alleged sex tape scandals to the high-profile defection of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his gang to Bersatu. Now, we witness a similar pattern with Rafizi, once lauded as a staunch party loyalist and policy visionary. However, after losing his position as PKR deputy president in the most recent party polls to the party president's daughter Nurul Izzah, he immediately resigned from his Cabinet post, despite no public request for him to do so. Soon after, he launched a podcast titled "Yang Bakar Menteri," which has, thus far, functioned less as a constructive policy critique and more as a direct attack aimed squarely at the government he once served. Now, just over a month after stepping away from that administration, Rafizi is leading a petition for an RCI, a move that will inevitably cause embarrassment or, at the very least, create the perception that the government's hands are not entirely clean on judicial matters. It's a damning turn for someone who not long ago had every opportunity to address these same concerns from within the system but chose silence. The timing, context and tone of this new campaign raise uncomfortable but necessary questions: Why now? And why this specific issue? It becomes difficult to ignore a discernible pattern. Rafizi and the MPs aligned with him were largely silent on matters of judicial independence and reform when they held institutional power and were politically ascendant. Yet, now, following a loss of internal party clout, their battle cry for reform has grown undeniably louder and more confrontational. Is this sudden moral urgency genuine, or is it merely the language of a faction unwilling to accept political defeat? And if, hypothetically, PMX's government were to fall, do Malaysians genuinely desire a sudden return of PN to power? Do they want another former bank CEO as Finance Minister, or another reshuffling of the Senior Ministers lineup? Voters cast their ballots hoping for a stable administration, consistent policy direction, the ability to maintain investor confidence and a promise of long-term prosperity. While PMX is indeed announcing and embarking on duties to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), these efforts have, for some, become the subject of jokes or memes online, with netizens questioning the tangible impact. If there is a desire to prevent the government from being toppled, then actions must align with previous promises. The pace of progress under Anwar's Unity Government is perceived by many as very slow, perhaps too slow, tiring, exhausting and stagnant. It is not to say that PN offers a better alternative, but Malaysia has reached a point where it contends with a seemingly hopeless Opposition, with the current Prime Minister seemingly capitalising on this weakness. Imagine the gravity of falling from grace even with such a weak Opposition. This is not a place for me to issue a call to "buck up," as the Anwar-led Unity Government has already been in power for the past two years. However, as my father once wisely stated, "Look at what Anwar and his friends preached, and look at what he is doing now." Two years into his tenure as Prime Minister, the political realities of governance have visibly begun to erode his once-revered 'Reformasi' brand and on top of that, PKR itself appears to have lost its core identity, in dire need of a new purpose. There is a vast amount of work that needs to be done, yet recent discussions have centered on issues like Nurul Izzah Anwar's contested appointment, a topic that does not put food on anyone's table. Every single Malaysian desires the year to end in peace, stability and with food on their tables. Is it so difficult to ask for this from our leaders who once vehemently claimed they could right the wrongs committed by Barisan Nasional? Your guess is as good as mine.
Sinar Daily
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
More than a crack? PKR faces its most serious crisis since Sheraton Move, analyst says
SHAH ALAM – PKR is expected to face a serious political crisis, potentially even more severe than the 'Sheraton Move', following a new movement led by Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli along with eight other members of parliament (MPs) from the party. Political analyst Dr G Manimaran said the current development mirrors the situation faced by Umno between 1986 and 1988, when the party was split into two factions. Therefore, he said, if PKR fails to manage the situation wisely and effectively, the crisis could lead to a split and have damaging consequences during the 16th General Election (GE16). "In my view, PKR is facing one of the most significant and serious political crises in its history. Even more serious than in 2020, when the country's political landscape was shaken by the Sheraton Move. "Overall, what PKR is going through is an unhealthy and politically disharmonious development," he said. Manimaran added that the actions of the nine PKR MPs raise the question of whether this could be the early crack leading to a much larger split – not just for PKR, but for the unity government as a whole. "We know the reasons and causes that led to this latest development (on Monday), taken by the nine PKR MPs. "Is this the early fracture that could lead to greater damage for PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the next general election?" he questioned. In this regard, he said the reality is that the situation is beginning to erode the confidence of supporters, with many PKR supporters starting to form negative perceptions of the government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the party president. "PKR needs an effective strategy to address the current issue; otherwise, GE16, which is expected to be held soon, will become an unhealthy battleground for the party," he stressed. Yesterday, nine PKR MPs led by the former PKR deputy president have called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate what they claimed were alleged irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the Chief Justice. The group will formally request that proceedings and an inquiry be conducted by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, with top government officials called to testify. Rafizi outlined four key issues related to the judicial appointment controversy that have circulated in the public domain and require clarification from the government. Among them is the delay in appointing new judges to the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court, despite nominations having been submitted by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). He said the JAC had finalised its nominations for the positions of Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal before the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and the names were submitted to the Prime Minister. However, no appointments were made, leading to the current leadership vacancies. Rafizi also claimed that a JAC meeting was convened last Friday without the mandatory 10-day notice period, allegedly to renominate candidates for the vacant top judicial posts. He stressed that as Members of Parliament, it is their duty to uphold the independence of the judiciary and ensure the separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary. On May 28, Rafizi submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The resignation officially took effect on June 17, following the end of his annual leave on June 16. In the PKR party elections held on May 23, Rafizi was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar, garnering 3,866 votes against her 9,803 in a direct contest for the deputy president post.
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'No cracks in PKR': Rafizi, Nik Nazmi quit Cabinet, not party — Saifuddin
PUTRAJAYA: PKR election director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has downplayed concerns over ministers resigning following the party's recent electoral setbacks, saying the party has endured far more turbulent times and emerged stronger. "When reflecting on what has happened within PKR, it is important to recall that we initially began as the Madani civil society movement. At that time, people gave us just three months before saying we would fail," he told Berita Harian in a special interview. Saifuddin added that PKR's own founding was met with scepticism and yet it contested and won five parliamentary and state assembly seats. "In 2004, we only held onto Permatang Pauh, but by 2008 we had become the largest opposition with 33 seats," he added. Recalling the aftermath of the Sheraton Move, Saifuddin said the party was thought to be on the verge of collapse as people such as Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin were not minor figures. "Still, we got back on our feet, reorganised, and carried on," he added. He said PKR has experienced all manner of political upheavals and internal shifts and, while outsiders may panic, the party had always been able to recover. On the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from their Cabinet positions, Saifuddin said these should not be conflated with party desertions. "Rafizi did not leave the party. He merely stepped down from his ministerial post out of principle. That is all, and we respect that. "The same goes for Nik Nazmi—he did not leave the party. He stepped down as a minister but remains within the party," he added. Saifuddin highlighted that what mattered most was that PKR members and leaders had clarity on the party's direction. "Most importantly, we give our assurance to our partners in the unity government that what is happening is part of PKR's political dynamics, and we remain committed to staying in government," he added. On May 28, Nik Nazmi, who is the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, announced that he had submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, effective July 4. His announcement came about three hours after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli announced his resignation as economy minister effective June 17.
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Wong Chen must stick around and deliver
From Nurul Anna Mausar Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen announced yesterday that he will be going to France for a break. But it's more than a family holiday as he said he is contemplating his future in politics and expressed a deep concern over the slow pace of reforms. Perhaps he should consider some of the lessons of the French Revolution during which the government collapsed into terror and anarchy when rival factions turned on each other. Of course, Malaysia's scenario is not remotely comparable to that period of history, when the French Revolution devoured its children. Nonetheless, we saw the chaos that followed the Sheraton Move of 2020, which was partially rooted in factional strife within Wong's own party. I would urge Wong to take the time to recharge his battery and come back stronger. Yes, reforms have been taking their time but a few have been accomplished, many others are in the pipeline, and more can be done further down the road. Don't give up now, when so much hangs in the balance. Reforms have been achieved through the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, the passage of the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025, the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. Other reforms have been promised in the short term, such as amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, a review of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009, proposed term limits for the prime minister, and the enactment of laws on urban renewal and freedom of information. Still more are under review such as separating the powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. Maybe even the full abolition of the death penalty. We have to acknowledge some political realities: the Madani government is an unwieldy multi-party coalition with differing degrees of commitment to reform. That's not an excuse. Just reality. For example, local council elections might be hard to push through as Pakatan Harapan has a very strong presence in Malaysia's urban centres but many other parties – both within and outside of the coalition – have a vested interest in preventing the return of such polls. One thing I am sure of: the likes of Wong must not surrender now. Instead, they must redouble their efforts. Nurul Anna Mausar is a law student and an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PKR polls: Fahmi vows to help party strategise for GE16
KEPALA BATAS: Planning for the 16th General Election (GE16) and several upcoming state elections (PRN) will be a key priority for PKR Information chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is offering himself as a candidate for the Central Leadership Council (MPP) in the 2025–2028 party election. Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said this would be the first area of focus if he was given the mandate to be part of the MPP, particularly in assisting the 26-year-old party with preparations such as the manifesto. 'We definitely need to start planning our steps towards GE16. In fact, we know that state elections in Sabah, Melaka and Johor are also approaching. So the first task for not just PKR, but many other parties will be preparing for these elections. 'This includes manifesto preparation, groundwork to engage the grassroots, connecting with the people, solving issues and understanding the policies that need to be prioritised. These will be among my main focuses,' he said. He was speaking to reporters after attending the 'Jelajah Kita Keadilan' programme at Dewan Tok Mat Yahoo here tonight, which was also attended by the party's secretary-general, Dr Fuziah Salleh. Fahmi also advised all candidates to campaign healthily by articulating their arguments and views, which in turn would help strengthen party unity in supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's reform and development agenda. Commenting on the contest between Nurul Izzah Anwar and Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli for the post of deputy president, Fahmi described it as a contest between two figures with a long history and who have been with the party since its inception. 'I see both have their own approaches, their own styles in conveying their vision to the delegates—some use statistics, some evoke memories, use slides to argue their case, build the mood, spirit and struggle. 'I believe both figures have their own strengths and supporters. Nurul Izzah has served as vice-president since 2010 while Rafizi played a key role in reviving the party, especially after the Sheraton Move,' he said. Nonetheless, Fahmi said party president Anwar hoped to see both figures continue contributing to the party, regardless of the outcome of the May 23 election, and that both Nurul Izzah and Rafizi have expressed their commitment to return to the grassroots to keep driving PKR forward even if they lost the race for the number two post. Fahmi also noted a consistent trend in PKR where the party leadership would find a way to involve capable individuals in party affairs or leadership roles if they were believed to have the potential to serve the party and connect with the people. The PKR National Congress, including the Youth and Women's congresses, is scheduled to be held from May 21 to 24 in Johor Bahru, with voting day set for May 23.
