KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Reuters) - Two prominent former Malaysian ministers said on Sunday they would vacate their parliamentary seats and resign from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition party to join a small party that they would take over.
The move by Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who resigned from cabinet last year after losing leadership posts in internal party elections, could create a challenge for Anwar, amid speculation of an early election this year.
The next general election is not due until 2028, but two lawmakers told Reuters in March it could be called as early as July, to coincide with several state polls.
ANWAR TO LISTEN TO VIEWS ON ELECTION TIMING
In an address to a leadership convention on Sunday of his coalition party Pakatan Harapan, Anwar said he would consider calling for a snap general election if the undermining of relationships within the unity government continues.
The unity government is made up of a coalition of parties including Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Harapan and others.
"The date (of a general election) is the Prime Minister's decision but I must listen to the advice and (the views) of friends," he said, adding that his coalition would contest the elections in all states.
RAFIZI HAD BEEN SEEN AS POTENTIAL SUCCESSOR
It was not clear if Anwar was aware that Rafizi and Nik Nazmi had vacated their parliamentary seats when he made those comments as both events were held concurrently.
Rafizi, the former economy minister, once served as deputy president in Anwar’s People's Justice Party (PKR) and was widely seen as his potential successor.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned from their cabinet positions in June last year following their defeat in internal party elections within PKR - since when Rafizi has become a vocal critic of Anwar’s government.
In a joint announcement, Rafizi and ex-environment minister Nik Nazmi said they would vacate their respective parliamentary seats on Monday and would write to inform the speaker of their resignations.
They also said they will officially quit PKR and join the Malaysian United Party, which was set up in 2016 and has been mostly active in the northwestern state of Penang. They took part in a symbolic handover ceremony involving the party's founder, Tan Gin Theam.
(Reporting by Ashley Tang and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and David Holmes)
