KUALA LUMPUR: Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has quit as the Minister of Economy.

The Pandan member of parliament said he had submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a statement, Rafizi said his resignation will take effect on June 17 and he will be on leave until June 16.

He took the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Ministry of Economy staff for extending support to him when he was the minister.

“I have personally witnessed the efficiency and capabilities of most civil servants here. They are able to formulate policies and follow through with effective planning frameworks.

Rafizi believes that the plan to improve the national economic structure, initiated by the Ministry of Economy, will continue to be successfully implemented by civil servants.

He also extended gratitude to the Malaysians, civil servants, private sector, media and all stakeholders whom he had the chance to engage with during his tenure as Minister of Economy.

He said with the introduction of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), his final task as Minister of Economy has come to an end and the plan has been finalised and is awaiting presentation and debate in the next parliamentary session.

“Although I am no longer a member of the Cabinet, I hope the Cabinet will retain some of the bold reforms related to the Ministry of Education,’’ he said.

Rafizi, the deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), lost to Nurul Izzah Anwar in the party election held last week.

While campaigning, Rafizi, the incumbent, had said he would quit if he fails to defend the position.