Malaysia economy minister resigns after party election defeat

Malaysia's Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said on Wednesday he has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, after losing a contest for the deputy presidency of the premier's political party.

Rafizi was deputy president of the People's Justice Party but lost the post to Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, in an internal party election last week.

Rafizi, whose resignation takes effect Jun 17, said his defeat meant that he no longer has a mandate from his party to deliver on its policy agenda.

"As is the practice in countries that emphasise democratic principles, leaders who lose in party elections must make way for the winning leaders to take their place in government," he said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear if Anwar's daughter would be given a post in the cabinet. Reuters has contacted Anwar's office seeking comment on the resignation.

Rafizi, who has been the minister since 2022, said his final mandate has been fulfilled with the completion of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which advocates comprehensive education reform and is due to be submitted to parliament in the next session.

"I hope the cabinet will maintain some of the bold reforms ... even though I will no longer be in the cabinet," he said.