SEREMBAN: Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun has announced that incumbent Ampangan assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek will be expelled from PKR. The caretaker Negri Sembilan mentri besar, who is a party vice-president, explained that Mohamad Rafie’s expulsion will be automatic after he filed his nomination papers to contest as an independent candidate.
Mohamad Rafie, who formerly served as the state’s investment, industrialisation, education, and entrepreneurship committee chairman, was not selected by the party to defend the seat.
Aminuddin, who will be seeking to win the Sikamat seat for a fourth term, acknowledged that it is Mohamad Rafie’s right to contest as an independent. He stated, “We had already heard talk of him contesting as an independent on Friday (July 28) evening. Well, it is his right as this is democracy.” He also mentioned that it is common for members who were not chosen to contest to do so on a different platform.
Aminuddin added that disciplinary action will also be taken against PKR members who have supported Mohamad Rafie. However, he remains optimistic that the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition will be able to retain the seat.
When asked if he had been in contact with Mohamad Rafie, Aminuddin clarified that they had not been in touch with each other. He said, “He didn’t contact me and I didn’t call him. We will leave it to the voters to decide who they want.” Aminuddin emphasized that the decision not to field Mohamad Rafie was made by the party leadership and should be respected.
Mohamad Rafie, after filing his nomination papers, claimed that party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had requested him to support the party’s candidate for Ampangan since Aminuddin did not support his candidacy. He stated, “I told him that he was the party president and also the Prime Minister. He need not listen to Aminuddin and Rafizi Ramli (Economic Affairs Minister) who have been playing politics to bring me down.” Mohamad Rafie criticized Rafizi’s performance as a minister and questioned Aminuddin’s integrity.
Mohamad Rafie, who considers himself a founding member of the party, believes that he can still serve the people as an independent, referring to himself as a “Yang Bekerja” rather than a “Yang Berhormat.” He said, “There has to be a new narrative. I don’t see why we need to be a member of a political party which is controlled by a few and who play politics by removing whoever they want.” He decided to contest after receiving calls from his constituents and stated, “I may now be in a small boat facing rough seas, but I will soldier on for the people.”
Credit: The Star : News Feed
