Rafizi Nik Nazmi Should Not Rejoin Cabinet

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Some may argue that Rafizi Ramli is difficult to work with. Well, what do they expect? To make friends with him? Rafizi is civil, and that is what matters. He has to make difficult decisions. He has to remain focused.
The corridors of power is no place to make friends. The politicians in PKR who were glad to see the backs of Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad may now live to regret it.
The exposés and betrayals that we saw in the run-up to the last internal party election have done much irreparable damage.
How loud were the alarm bells in the PKR headquarters, and did the newly elected leaders voice their concerns to the party president, Anwar Ibrahim, about their chances of success or failure in the 16th general election?
We are not shocked that Prime Minister Anwar has persuaded his former ministers, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi to rejoin the cabinet. Our only surprise is that he has taken this long to make public his request.
PKR is responsible for its own self-destruction. The alleged backstabbing of popular, trusted figures and vomit-inducing testimonies of various sycophants have encapsulated the minds of the electorate.
However much you disagree or even dislike their policies, it is people like Rafizi and Nik Nazmi who lend legitimacy and give credibility to PKR. Anyone who knows them will appreciate that they are men of principle and integrity.
Loyalists over reformists
Why should Rafizi and Nik Nazmi rejoin the cabinet? Is Anwar’s invitation sincere? He may prefer loyalists over reformists.
Here are five reasons why they should not rejoin the cabinet.
1. As ministers, they must respect the ministerial code of conduct. They cannot openly criticise the PM if they disagree with his policies. Like any team member of any organisation, be it in politics or in private life, they must show solidarity with the team. Rejoining the cabinet is as good as silencing them.
2. As backbenchers, both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi can be as critical as they deem necessary. They will be more effective in conveying the wishes of their electorate, serving their constituents and holding the ministers to account, much better, outside of the cabinet.
3. These men have credibility and are men of influence. That is why Anwar would prefer them to rejoin the cabinet. Their presence will give Anwar and his cabinet a measure of credibility and the respectability that they crave, but have lost, and probably never had.
4. Rafizi is not afraid of being vocal. He recently shared his observations about money politics and how the party had parachuted outsiders in preference to long-term party members, to be eligible for the party election.
If he were to rejoin the cabinet, we would never be privy to his objections against any government policy. What is said in the cabinet meetings will stay there. If he were to leak any secrets, he would probably be sacked or painted as untrustworthy.
5. As an ordinary backbencher MP, Rafizi is worth more to the rakyat than a bunch of useless “yes ministers”.
He kept his promise to resign if he lost the deputy presidency election, unlike those politicians who said they would do something about the controversial re-appointment of the MACC chief, which they disagreed with.
Confused Anwar
Anwar’s announcement about Rafizi and Nik Nazmi was made at an organisational empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders on June 12.
He reminded party members to be mature and to stand united to achieve PKR's “greater mission”.
Anwar said, “I can work with Umno, even hugging it out. Surely, we can move past our internal disagreements, too".
Did he think we would be impressed?
Malaysians did not oust the corrupt Najib Abdul Razak in 2018, only for Anwar to get cosy with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in 2022. It took decades to be rid of Umno-Baru.
Anwar urged PKR members to “heal internal rifts” and “put aside dissatisfaction” following the party election, which had taken place in May.
Isn’t he confused? It is the leadership which has failed to rein in the troublemakers and unite the various factions.
The open machinations to oust various key figures in the last PKR election only confirmed our suspicions that party infighting has not gone away. This is weak leadership.
The trouble with the PKR leaders is their egos. They are also tone deaf when it comes to the concerns of the electorate and the anxieties of their supporters.
PKR leaders and members need not look into the crystal ball to predict the future. They just have to listen to the chats in the coffee shops, or access social media or newspaper reports about dissatisfaction within PKR, and read about complaints from PKR MPs, like Wong Chen.
More excuses
Malaysians thought Pakatan Harapan/PKR could make a difference, but today, they feel betrayed. They are not daft and do not expect change to take place overnight. However, they are told, “reformasi takes time” or “reformasi is not dead”.
How much time do they want? All we hear are excuses, because if there is a will, there is a way.
Voters have lost faith in politicians, and because of the slow pace of reform, many Malaysians have vowed not to vote at the next general election. This is dangerous for our democracy.
So, can Rafizi make a difference and re-energise the rakyat’s struggle for reform? - Mkini
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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