My Focus Was On Economy Rafizi Explains Being Less Vocal In Cabinet

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PKR's Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said there were multiple factors at play that caused him to be unable to comment on many issues when he was the economy minister.
During the most recent episode of Rafizi's podcast "Yang Berhenti Menteri", guest Syed Azuan asked why the former had been less vocal and courageous when serving as a minister, to which he replied that he had set aside his courage to focus on ministerial duties.
Another was the broad purview of the economy portfolio, which often intersected with other ministries, he said, explaining that this was because of a cabinet decision that compelled ministers to focus comments on their own ministries.
"First of all, if I comment too much on politics, it will make me lose my focus.
ADS"But secondly, if I comment too much, it will start to affect our (PKR's) allies, so Umno will not be satisfied, and later, DAP will not be satisfied,” he said.
"From the beginning, my decision was that, no matter what, I would focus on the economy ministry's tasks.
"That's why the content is what people say is boring, because the economy is actually boring too," he joked.
He said before becoming a minister, he enjoyed a close relationship with the media due to his practice of holding two to three press conferences weekly.
Afterwards, he said the loss of that relationship was keenly felt, particularly that which he had with senior journalists who joined the profession at the same time he became active in politics.
Positive impacts
Besides that, he said politicians should strive for positive impacts on the people in their work.
He cited the example of the recent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) issue, which saw him and eight other PKR MPs raise concerns.
However, the action was met with anger by people who accused them of disobedience.
"But at least when we did that, it (the issue) was given attention... and that saved the government from being condemned further.
"That's my duty, and I don't have to be a minister or (party) deputy president to ensure that things happen properly," he said.
On July 7, Rafizi and the eight PKR lawmakers raised concerns that a new judicial appointment scandal is shaping up, in the same vein as the VK Lingam episode in the mid-2000s, which led to the eventual formation of the JAC in 2009.
Yesterday, he said they will continue to campaign for broader judicial reforms.
Rafizi had resigned as the economy minister after losing his position as the PKR deputy president in the party's election in May. - Mkini

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