Rafizi Urges Anwar to Drop BN Amid Government Infighting

Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to remove Umno ministers from the Cabinet and end Barisan Nasional’s role in the federal government, Malaysiakini reported.

“Clearly, the formula of bringing together opposing political parties to form the Madani government is no longer working,” Rafizi said in a statement on Friday (Nov 6).

Anwar Dares Umno Ministers to Speak Up

Rafizi cited Anwar’s challenge to Umno ministers at a DAP campaign dinner in Melaka on Thursday night (Nov 5), where the prime minister told them to raise any disagreements in Cabinet.

“If you disagree with something, say it in the cabinet,” Anwar said, ahead of the Cabinet meeting the next morning.

At the dinner, Anwar also took aim at the Umno-PAS “Malay unity” platform, calling parties that court non-Malay voters and then talk of “ketuanan Melayu” hypocritical, Malaysiakini reported. Pakatan Harapan and the Umno-led BN are contesting against each other in 23 seats in the Melaka state election.

Rural Roads Row Between Ministries

Malaysiakini also reported a dispute between the Finance Ministry and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, over rural road allocations.

Zahid claimed funds had been withheld, while the Finance Ministry showed receipts indicating the ministry had overspent. The rural ministry was then given RM500 million from other ministries’ savings.

Rafizi Warns of a Paralysed Administration

Rafizi warned that the hostility could weaken or paralyse the administration, and said Umno-controlled ministries could follow party-appointed ministers who are no longer aligned with Anwar.

He said Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s expected resignation over Najib Razak’s house arrest offered an opportunity for a Cabinet reshuffle. He also questioned the confidence and supply agreement that secured Anwar’s majority.

Loke has said his resignation will take effect once Najib arrives home to begin house arrest, which was put on hold on Friday after the Attorney-General’s Chambers sought legal clarification.

Sources: Malaysiakini, The Sun, The Star, Malay Mail

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