By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, April 21 — Despite leading Putrajaya under the Unity Government, Parti Keadilan Rakyat must remain committed to its mission of fighting for reform, said its deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
Warning against complacency among party members, he stressed the importance of embodying the spirit of “lawan tetap lawan” (never give up the fight) to avoid eroding public trust.
“Our work is never done. That is the essence of our party’s fight for reform. Whatever practices the previous government used to make their lives easier, we cannot replicate.
“If the previous ruling party utilised government machinery to strengthen the party, we cannot do that. If they used government influence to collect funds, we cannot follow. Instead, we raised funds from our own pockets to support the party.
“If the previous government used debt to distribute aid and announce major infrastructure projects, we cannot do that, as it would burden future generations with debt.
“That is why our mission as a reform-based party will continue indefinitely. We will constantly seek new ways to address problems that have not been resolved before,’’ Rafizi said.
He was speaking to some 3,500 party delegates during Keadilan’s 25th-anniversary celebrations at the Ideal Convention Centre today.
Rafizi added that previous parties which governed Putrajaya but forgot their responsibilities to the people had suffered significant electoral losses despite being at their peak.
“Why have previous parties lost at the peak of their power? Because they are easily praised and wooed to the point that it creates a bangsawan (elite) community, those who are in power yet have forgotten their responsibilities.
“They forgot that they are in power, in public positions on the backs of public support. That is why we must maintain the ‘lawan tetap lawan’, spirit even in government,’’ he said.
Earlier in his speech, Rafizi also recalled that Keadilan’s formation is based on the spirit of camaraderie and family relations.
However, the dynamics within the party have changed, and now that it is in power, people join its ranks to seek positions in public office.
As such, he cautioned party members from being blinded by the pursuit of power and consolidating support, and instead, they ought to focus on the reform agenda.
