Mahmud Epah
KUCHING (May 18): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak has criticised Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli for vacating the Pandan parliamentary seat, describing the move as being driven by personal political interests.
Its secretary Mahmud Epah described Rafizi’s resignation as “a reckless act” that betrayed the trust and mandate given voters in the constituency.
“The people’s mandate and votes are not cheap games or experiments that can be discarded, traded or replaced when personal interests are not met.
“Electors cast their votes, trusting him to serve a full term, and quitting half way is a great insult to the country’s democracy,” he said in a statement.
“How can those who openly and shamelessly betray the people for personal agenda be made future leaders?”
Mahmud said at a time when the people are under pressure due to rising cost of living, Rafizi’s action showed a greater focus on publicity and personal interests rather than the welfare and stability of his constituents.
He added that the “Rafizi drama” would not affect the loyalty or integrity of the PKR Sarawak’s grassroots machinery.
“The main focus of the leadership in Sarawak remains unwavering and consistent, namely demanding and defending Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as well as defending the welfare of the people.”
Mahmud also said that PKR Sarawak had “no time to entertain the political theatrics by individuals obsessed with power”.