Former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has urged former Damansara MP Tony Pua not to involve other parties in what he described as DAP’s internal conflict.
Rafizi’s remarks came after Pua criticised PKR MPs aligned with him for refusing to vacate their parliamentary seats and join Parti Bersama Malaysia.
Rafizi claims remarks reflect DAP factional divide
Speaking on the “Explain Sikit” podcast aired on Saturday evening, Rafizi said Pua’s criticism reflected a split within DAP.
According to Rafizi, the faction represented by Pua hoped to see the collapse of the current coalition government, while the larger faction led by DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook wanted the Pakatan Harapan-led administration to remain stable.
“That is why their reactions are different. They should not only be read explicitly but also in what is implied,” said the former PKR deputy president.
Pua had earlier stated that while Rafizi and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had the right to pursue their own political direction, MPs intending to contest the next general election under another party should vacate their seats if they were elected under PKR.
In a Facebook post, Pua described those who intended to remain in office while planning to contest under another party as “self-serving chickens”.
He also said voters should pressure such MPs to resign immediately.
Different responses within DAP highlighted
Rafizi pointed to Loke’s earlier remarks that he and Nik Nazmi should have waited until the end of their parliamentary terms before joining a new political movement.
He contrasted Loke’s comments with Pua’s criticism directed at MPs who chose not to resign from their seats.
“What happened here is actually a spillover from the factional fight in DAP. Please leave us out of it,” he said.
On May 17, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced plans to take over Parti Bersama Malaysia as part of a new political direction involving themselves and their supporters.
The pair also resigned as MPs for Pandan and Setiawangsa respectively, as well as from PKR.
Rafizi says resignations aimed at preserving stability
Rafizi said he and Nik Nazmi vacated their seats out of respect for the democratic process, as both were elected under the PKR banner.
At the same time, he said they also wanted to preserve the stability of the current government.
According to Rafizi, if all MPs aligned with him resigned from PKR and vacated their seats, it could create the risk of a backdoor government emerging.
