Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has announced his resignation as Economy Minister, effective 17 June.
“I have submitted my resignation letter from the Cabinet to the Prime Minister. This resignation will take effect from June 17. Starting today, I will utilise my remaining annual leave until June 16,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (28 May).
Rafizi explained that he entered politics to promote a political culture rooted in accountability and the people’s mandate.
“My recent defeat in the PKR election means I no longer have the mandate from my party to translate the people’s agenda, as envisioned by PKR, into government programmes.
“As practised in countries that prioritise democratic principles, leaders who lose in party elections must make way for those who have won to take their place in the government,” he added.
He also thanked the leadership and staff of the Economy Ministry for their support during his tenure.
“I have witnessed firsthand the efficiency and capability of the majority of the civil servants here, who are able to draft policies followed by effective programme frameworks.
“I am confident that the programmes to improve the country’s economic structure, pioneered by the Economy Ministry, will continue to be successfully implemented by the civil servants.
“My final duty as the Economy Minister has been completed with the preparation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which has been finalised and is awaiting presentation in the next Parliamentary session,” he stated.
Earlier, on 7 May, Rafizi said he would be prepared to step down from both party and Cabinet roles if he lost the PKR deputy president post in the party polls.
He confirmed his intention to return to the grassroots level and campaign actively for the party.
Rafizi was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar for the PKR deputy president position.
After Rafizi, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad became the second PKR minister to resign
Nik Nazmi has tendered his resignation, with July 4 set to be his last day in office.
In a statement today, he said he will be on leave from tomorrow until July 3.