KUALA LUMPUR – Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has announced his resignation from the Cabinet, with effect from June 17, following his recent loss in the PKR party elections.
In a statement issued today, Rafizi said he has submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and will utilise his remaining annual leave until his departure becomes official.
“I entered politics to promote a new political culture grounded in accountability and the people’s mandate. My defeat in the recent PKR election means I no longer hold the mandate from my party to translate its people-centric agenda into government programmes,” he said.
He added that, in line with democratic practices in other countries, leaders who lose party elections should make way for those who have secured the party’s trust.
Rafizi expressed his gratitude to the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Economy, praising the civil service’s capability in formulating effective policies and programmes.
“I am confident that the efforts to strengthen the country’s economic structure, championed by the Ministry of Economy, will continue to be successfully implemented by the dedicated civil servants,” he said.
𝘒𝘦𝘯𝘺𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘢𝘯 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) May 28, 2025
𝟮𝟴 𝗠𝗲𝗶 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗡 𝗝𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗜 𝗝𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗛 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜
Saya telah menghantar surat peletakan jawatan dari Jemaah Menteri kepada YAB Perdana Menteri. 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻… pic.twitter.com/8JWgyfTNaP
Rafizi also confirmed that his final task as Economy Minister was the completion of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which is ready to be tabled in the next parliamentary sitting.
According to him, the 13MP places strong emphasis on comprehensive education reforms, including structural changes involving the Ministry of Education. He urged the Cabinet to retain these bold reforms in the plan, even after his departure.
“I would like to express my appreciation to all Malaysians, civil servants, private sector players, media, and stakeholders whom I have worked with throughout my time as Minister of Economy,” he said.
“Our journey to reshape the nation’s economic structure and reach high-income status is still a long one. Therefore, we must continue making sound, long-term decisions — even if they are difficult — for the sake of future generations.”
Rafizi had previously indicated he would step down if he lost the party election. He was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar, who secured 9,803 votes to his 3,866 on May 23. — May 28, 2025