KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 – As Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) enters the final phase of its 2025 internal elections — the first since becoming the ruling federal party — Deputy President Rafizi Ramli has announced a temporary leave from his ministerial duties to concentrate fully on resolving grassroots tensions and addressing electoral concerns raised nationwide.
More than 190 official complaints have emerged, prompting Rafizi to prioritize party unity and democratic integrity ahead of the central leadership election. During his leave from April 29 to May 5, Rafizi spearheaded dialogue sessions with candidates and tabled crucial issues before the Central Leadership Council (MPP). The council approved an independent audit of the party’s digital voting system, with technical representatives of complainants allowed to observe the process.
Rafizi emphasized the need for the Election Committee to rectify system weaknesses before the central polls, including ensuring source code transparency, vote count accuracy, and secure deployment logs to safeguard election credibility. Rafizi also revealed discussions with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution regarding future strategy ahead of the 16th General Election (PRU16).
Expressing his willingness to relinquish both his party and cabinet positions to campaign more freely, Rafizi reiterated his commitment to strengthening PKR regardless of the election outcome — whether as Deputy President or a grassroots campaigner.
