KUCHING: The departure of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli from the Cabinet and his distancing from PKR President, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Vice-President Nurul Izzah Anwar has weakened the party’s political edge.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, described Rafizi as a “brilliant political strategist”, calling his absence from PKR’s top leadership ranks a significant setback.
“If he was together with Anwar and Nurul, I think PKR would be much stronger. It is sad to lose someone who is so bright like him,” he was quoted as saying in an FMT report recently.
Abdul Karim, who is also the publicity chief of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), acknowledged Rafizi’s key role in shaping Malaysia’s political landscape, particularly his instrumental part in Barisan Nasional’s fall during the 14th General Election.

“He was the mind behind Invoke Malaysia and helped engineer BN’s 2018 defeat. Losing him is definitely not ideal for PKR,” he said.
Commenting on Rafizi’s recent criticism of the current government, Abdul Karim observed a marked shift in tone.
“When he was in Cabinet, he rarely criticised the government. Now that he’s out, he’s beginning to resemble the more outspoken, old Rafizi,” he said.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from their ministerial posts two months ago following their defeat in PKR’s internal elections, witj Rafizi losing the deputy president position to Nurul Izzah, Anwar’s daughter.
Recently, Rafizi returned to the public spotlight by launching a campaign, backed by eight PKR MPs, to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged interference in top judicial appointments, including the chief justice’s position.
Citing growing public mistrust, he has also started a nationwide petition and plans to hold a series of forums beginning July 13 in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
Abdul Karim said PKR could have managed its internal disputes with greater care to avoid such fallout.
“Internal divisions should have been better managed. In politics, too many internal conflicts can weaken the party’s unity,” he said.
Despite the criticisms, Abdul Karim stressed that the government’s priority should be delivering clean and effective governance.
“Malaysians want a government that is competent, transparent and committed to reform – regardless of which party is in charge,” he added.
He acknowledged that many of the country’s corruption issues stemmed from previous administrations, particularly under UMNO’s leadership.
“Still, the current government must be seen as actively cleaning up the system – whether it’s the judiciary, police or key ministries. That’s what Malaysians truly expect,” he said.