Ministry duty first, Puad advises Rafizi

AN UMNO Supreme Council member has slammed PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli for skipping yesterday’s special parliamentary sitting on US tariffs but attending a party meeting the day before.

Rengit assemblyman Puad Zarkashi urged Rafizi, the economy minister, to explain why he was taking a leave of absence from his ministerial duties.

“There’s a lot of speculation going around, and negative comments form the majority of it. If it’s true that his leave of absence is linked to the PKR elections, then it would be irresponsible of him.

“If he wants to protest against his party, he should quit as PKR deputy president rather than taking a long leave of absence and allowing his ministry to be without its boss for so long.

“It’s the ministry that’s more important. Ministry first, party second,” Puad said in a Facebook post.

While Rafizi did not attend yesterday’s special parliamentary sitting to discuss the US tariffs, he had attended a PKR central leadership council meeting the day before.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, previously played down Rafizi’s decision to go on leave, saying it was a non-issue as he would only be on leave for a few days.

News of Rafizi’s leave surfaced after Malaysiakini quoted an unnamed Cabinet minister as confirming it but dismissing talk of his resignation.

This came amid speculation over Rafizi’s political standing, especially after the defeat of several apparent allies in PKR’s recent divisional polls. A slew of prominent incumbent divisional leaders were also knocked out, as members elected lesser-known figures.

Rafizi is expected to defend his position as PKR deputy president in this month’s central leadership elections. There is also speculation that he may be challenged by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is the home minister.

Utamakan kementerian, Puad tegur Rafizi

AHLI Majlis Kerja Tertinggi Umno, Puad Zarkashi membidas Timbalan Presiden PKR, Rafizi Ramli tidak menghadiri sidang khas Parlimen berhubung isu tarif Amerika Syarikat (AS) semalam, tetapi menyertai mesyuarat parti sehari sebelumnya.

Adun Rengit itu menggesa Rafizi, yang juga menteri ekonomi, menjelaskan sebab beliau mengambil cuti panjang daripada tugas menterinya.

“Banyak spekulasi dan majoritinya komen negatif. Kalau benar ia ada kaitan dengan isu pemilihan PKR, maka cutinya itu tidak bertanggungjawab.

“Kalau mahu memprotes parti, letaklah jawatan timbalan presiden partinya, bukan cuti panjang dan membiarkan kementerian tanpa bos begitu lama.

“Ia kementerian penting. ‘Ministry first, party second’,” katanya dalam catatan Facebook.

Rafizi tidak menghadiri sidang khas Parlimen berhubung isu tarif AS semalam, tetapi beliau menyertai mesyuarat Majlis Pimpinan Pusat PKR sehari sebelumnya.

Jumaat lalu, Perdana Menteri, Anwar Ibrahim yang juga presiden PKR berkata, tindakan Rafizi mengambil cuti panjang tidak perlu dijadikan isu kerana beliau hanya memohon cuti beberapa hari, bukannya sehingga hujung bulan seperti dilaporkan media.

Berita berhubung cuti Rafizi timbul selepas Malaysiakini memetik seorang menteri Kabinet mengesahkan perkara itu dan menolak cakap-cakap mengenai peletakan jawatannya.

Ini berlaku ketika spekulasi timbul berhubung kedudukan politik Rafizi, khasnya selepas beberapa sekutunya tewas dalam pemilihan bahagian PKR baru-baru ini. Beberapa pemimpin bahagian terkenal turut tersingkir, selepas ahli memilih calon kurang dikenali.

Rafizi dijangka mempertahankan jawatannya sebagai timbalan presiden PKR dalam pemilihan peringkat pusat bulan ini. Timbul spekulasi beliau mungkin dicabar Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yang juga menteri dalam negeri.

 

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