PKR apologises for Kajang fiasco
Rafizi Ramli says it also pains him to “drag Anwar Ibrahim” through the situation, but added the latter’s willingness to do this for the coalition is the mark of the man.
(FMT) – Amid public uproar over the Kajang by-election, PKR admitted today there was “no excuse” for the party to waste millions of ringgit in public funds by engineering the by-election, and offered its “sincerest apologies” to Malaysians.
“This by-election will certainly consume public money and public space at a time when the people have to go through economic hardship.
“There is no excuse for wasting public money except to offer my sincerest apology and for the party to be prepared if the voters of Kajang decide to punish us,” PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said in a statement today.
The Pandan MP professed that as the strongest proponent of the scheme, he bears the “most responsibility” for the decision in forcing the by-election, which was triggered by state representative Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation two days ago to make way for Anwar Ibrahim to contest.
Rafizi explained that the decision, dubbed the “Kajang Move”, was to fortify Pakatan in Selangor and to form a model state as a launchpad for the opposition coalition to takeover Putrajaya.
PKR and Pakatan Selangor needed a fortification to expedite reforms and fend off political attacks and maneuveres from Umno, he said.
“We need as many of our top leaders around Selangor to defend Selangor because it remains the crown jewel of any political coalition in the country,” said Rafizi.
“Hence the decision to field Anwar Ibrahim for a state seat as this provides an option that we can readily exercise should the need arise.”
He said this did not necessarily mean Anwar would replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor mentri besar, but stressed they now at least had the option to optimize their leadership potential if Umno stirred up more trouble.
“Option is key. Having the option means having the flexibility of maneuveres that can easily frustrate Umno’s game in Selangor especially with regards to racial and religious controversies.”
When Najib is gone, all hell will break loose
Rafizi said it was vital to begin defending Selangor now, in response to Umno’s apparent move to unseat Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
“It is an open secret that the move to remove Najib Razak has begun. As a party strategist, I cannot rule out the possibility that Najib is removed and Umno falls to the ultras led by Mahathir Mohamad’s faction.”
