Analysing Rafizi Ramli S Statement

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Rafizi Ramli has released a statement which has been translated into English. I received a copy. I have edited out some names and my comments are below here in blue.
 
I have run many political campaigns before. Never in any of them have so many ordinary citizens vociferously supported and built a narrative for a campaign that culminated in such a significant defeat.
Therefore, I am deeply indebted to the ordinary Malaysians who supported my campaign. Thank you so much, only Allah can repay everyone's kindness. I do not wish to continue the polemics about the election results.
Since the campaign began, I have taken a transparent and outspoken approach in voicing my concerns on a range of issues: from the change to the one-member-one-vote voting system, to the integrity of the digital voting system, to the laxity in resolving these issues.
I understand the feelings of disappointment and despair among ordinary PKR members and supporters. We need time to recover from the feeling that all the years of effort and dedication to PKR's ideals have been in vain. I am also an ordinary human being, no exception to the same feeling, even if only for a moment.
Almost half of my adult life, to be exact, almost 27 years, I have devoted to this struggle: from mobilizing the International Campaign, joining the early leadership of the Justice Youth, to writing a book to explain court case to the public. I left a good corporate career at a young age, to become his Chief of Staff in the Selangor State Economic Adviser’s Office.
To date, I have fought 16 court cases: 7 criminal and 9 civil suits, for exposing various public financial scandals. I have probably spent more time in court than the average lawyer. I was once sentenced to three years in prison (suspended and replaced with a good behaviour bond) under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for my role in exposing the 1MDB scandal.
To be honest, I'm not disappointed at all. In fact, I feel a bit relieved that now I can go back to being an ordinary person, saved from the power plays and high-class politics. I got involved in the reform movement (even before PKR was launched) because of an idealism. I wanted to see a democratic change of government happen for the first time because I believe healthy competition between political parties is good for the people.
I believe the people deserve the best team to govern the country. Competition elevates merit and forces politicians to be more accountable. It is an antidote to the culture of corruption that is rampant among politicians because they can be thrown out of power.
I want to see a Malaysia that is diverse and progressive because we are a small country. A diverse society opens our minds to compete in a healthy way. It allows us to learn from each other so that we can cultivate the best work culture. It builds goodwill, trust and respect. Competition prepares us to compete globally. All of this can bring prosperity and a much better life for many Malaysians.
I joined PKR because of this idealism and its benefits to the people. I did not join PKR for a ministerial position or position, let alone to build wealth.  Leaders come and go, but idealism remains.
I remained in PKR for 27 years, longer than many of the party's pioneers and more senior figures, because I believe PKR is just starting out. Although we have contributed to enlightening and maturing Malaysian society, we are still far from achieving the goals promised by that idealism.
I have never believed that holding government positions is the only way to achieve that goal. Society must change faster than the government to realise a diverse and progressive Malaysia - our ambitions that are still in the making. I am very proud of the ordinary PKR members and supporters who remained steadfast in defending this idealism throughout the campaign, even though everything was arranged against me. The ideals of reform still have hope. Thank you for the hundreds of messages of support I have received.
Thank you also to those who prayed for me and offered their prayers. I was very touched when several young party members shed tears as I left the hall, pleading with me not to leave PKR despite being treated in this way.
I have no intention of giving up and running away from our idealistic aspirations all this time, namely that Malaysia deserves something better - those aspirations are what got me into activism and politics in the first place.
Every problem has multiple solutions. Every obstacle has multiple shortcuts. With more time available, God willing, I will be able to spend more time with ordinary people from now on.
In the near future, I will at least try to reply to as many messages of support as I receive. To those who are disappointed, we must be content with the decree and wisdom behind it. Allah knows best what is best for us. Once again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
𝗥𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘇𝗶 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗶
𝟮𝟰 𝗠𝗲𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
My Comments 
Folks something very big is missing here. Me and you are missing.
Its all about Rafizi, his struggle in the party. His exposing financial scandals and 1MDB. Which is great - let me express my gratitude as well. But  exposing those scandals were also necessary to boost Rafizi's own politics.

What I mean is there are a million other things that are wrong in the country - about which absolutely nothing has been done. And not by Rafizi either.  The country has not changed since the bad old days of Mahafiraun and Mahazalim. Everything remains the same. And reading between the lines of what Rafizi is saying, things are actually worse. 

Rafizi says :  I want to see a Malaysia that is diverse and progressive because we are a small country. A diverse society opens our minds to compete in a healthy way. It allows us to learn from each other so that we can cultivate the best work culture. It builds goodwill, trust and respect. Competition prepares us to compete globally. All of this can bring prosperity and a much better life for many Malaysians . I joined PKR because of this idealism and its benefits to the people.
 But you were in power already - from 2018 until 2020. 
And then from Nov 2022 until now. 
That is FIVE YEARS already. 
What have you done in those five years? 
Nothing much.Has corruption disappeared? Or reduced? 
Is the economy strong? Nope.
Is inflation down? Nope. 
Have you forgotten your nasi lemak kiosks? 
How is the nasi lemak? 
How is the kiosk?Is unemployment down? Nope. 
What happened to the political funding laws? Dead.
Abolish the Sedition Act? Out the window.
Where is the Beras Putih Tempatan? 
The illegal pendatangs are still coming into the country. Human trafficking is doing very well, thank you.  The Middle Eastern fellows who have been declared terrorists by other countries are also here now. Well they never left.


What about abolishing ALL THOSE cruel, wicked Mahafiraun and Mahazalim era monopolies, oligopolies, quotas, APs, licenses and permits? Rice monopoly, postal monopoly, car inspection monopoly - now become an oligopoly, banking oligopoly, so many other monopolies and oligopolies. They are all still there.

You say,  I want to see a Malaysia that is diverse and progressive because we are a small country. A diverse society opens our minds to compete in a healthy way.Really? You think so? I think so too. But that Indian girl was practically told to shut up and sit down. Sudah lupa kah? And what about that Indian temple issue? Where were you brader?

Now since you have been dealt a very bad hand, since you got the very short end of the stick, since they gave you the axe, since they made you walk the plank you wish to renew your idealisms. 
The fact is nothing has changed in the country. UMNO was kicked out in 2018. You came into power then - until 2020. And again you came into power in November 2022. Nothing has changed in the country. Nothing.  So what exactly are you saying?

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
By Syed Akbar Ali 

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