PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has dismissed claims that the planned announcement by two former PKR leaders on their “new political direction” on Sunday is an attempt to sabotage the PH convention to be held at the same time.
Saifuddin said Rafizi Ramli and his allies can do as they wish, Utusan Malaysia reported.
“Malaysia is a democratic country where freedom of speech, assembly and association is guaranteed.
“I do not think they are attempting to sabotage (the PH convention) just because the dates clash,” he was quoted as saying.
Saifuddin said PH had planned the convention months in advance as part of its preparations for upcoming state elections.
On May 13, it was reported that Rafizi, the Pandan MP and former PKR deputy president, and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are expected to announce their “new political direction” at the PJ Performing Arts Centre.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned as economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, respectively, in May 2025.
This came after Rafizi lost the PKR No 2 post to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the party elections. His running mate, Nik Nazmi, also failed to retain his vice-presidency.
Rafizi’s ties with the PKR leadership turned frosty after the party elections and he has been publicly critical of the government and the party since.
PH will hold its first convention in four years in Johor on Sunday. The last PH convention was held in 2022, before the coalition’s return to the federal government.
