Rafizi: New gov’t needs censuring from the start to prevent arrogance

(Mkini) – PKR deputy president nominee Rafizi Ramli has rubbished calls for the Pakatan Harapan government to be treated with kid gloves in its early stages.

He said those who criticise his rebukes of the government are still trapped by an “Umno-esque feudal mindset”.

“Many are still numb with views that ‘we should give the government space, they’re still new. Don’t censure them’.

“If we don’t censure them from the start, eventually the government will become arrogant. They need to be thought to be criticised from within and outside from the start,” Rafizi said on Twitter today.

The former Pandan MP has been a vocal critic of the Harapan government.

Putrajaya’s supporters have in turn accused him of undermining the government instead of hitting out at the opposition such as Umno and PAS.

However, Rafizi said Umno and PAS were not in government, thus “there is minimal risk of damage because of them”.

“Harapan is the government and if their actions are wrong, it will have an effect on the people,” he said.

He also called on his colleagues in Harapan to do some self-reflection, on whether the government’s actions would be something they criticised when they were the opposition, or if they’re acting like the old BN government.

Keeping the government honest is one of the platforms on which Rafizi is challenging Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali for the PKR deputy presidency.