Rafizi Slams Leak Of Confidential Letter Questions Breach Of Party Etiquette

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PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has taken aim at the leak of a confidential letter he sent to party president Anwar Ibrahim, in which he declined an invitation to officiate the party’s Youth and Women’s wing congresses.
Speaking at the “Jelajah Hiruk” programme in Ipoh last night, Rafizi revealed the letter was only addressed to two people - Anwar and PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh.
“I only wrote to two people - Anwar and one other. Yet the letter was leaked. How did that happen? It wasn’t just the news that got out, the whole letter did,” he said.
The economy minister compared the situation to a similar leak in 2019 involving a letter he wrote to Anwar that warned of “cartels and shadowy characters” within the party.
“They twisted the (current) leak to say I’m sulking, being emotional, or unprofessional. That’s not the point. I was actually waiting for the ‘bola tanggung’,” he quipped, using a badminton metaphor to suggest he was prepared for criticism.
Formal rejection
Yesterday, Malaysia Gazette reported that Rafizi had formally informed Anwar of his decision to turn down the party wings’ invitation.
PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim told Malaysiakini that his wing had received a copy of the letter and hoped Rafizi would reconsider.
Rafizi said while it is customary for the deputy president to officiate the Youth and Women’s congresses, the role also includes launching key party machinery, especially in the lead-up to an election.
“According to our etiquette and party hierarchy, yes, the deputy president officiates the Youth and Women’s congresses. That’s true,” he said.
“But launching the election machinery for something as crucial as the Sabah state election - that should be done by the deputy president, who is also the party’s election director. That is the proper order of things.”
ADSSudden announcement
Rafizi expressed surprise over the sudden announcement of another launch event, which he said had not been discussed at either the political bureau or the central leadership council levels.
“At that time, there was no talk of launching the state election machinery. Based on the information I received, Nurul Izzah (Anwar) was supposed to campaign in Sabah on the 19th.
PKR deputy presidential hopeful Nurul Izzah Anwar“Then suddenly, there were posters saying Nurul Izzah and Amir (Selangor MB Amirudin Shari) would launch the machinery on the same day, at the same time,” he said.
Rafizi insisted he had no issue with others taking the lead, but questioned the lack of coordination.
“I don’t mind if you want to carry the load - go ahead. Like (Subang MP) Wong Chen said, I’ve been fat, slim, fat again - I’ll slim down again later. I have no issue with that.
“But why are we not guided by party etiquette, to the point it burdens grassroots leaders? Why are we putting them in such an awkward position?” he asked.
It was previously reported that 21 out of 25 PKR branches in Sabah are backing Nurul Izzah and Amirudin.
Some members have also reportedly criticised Rafizi’s stance as “unprofessional” in the lead-up to the party’s internal election on May 23. - Mkini

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