KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 -- Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has defended his recent criticisms of the government and the judiciary, stressing that holding one's own party accountable is a greater test of leadership than confronting political opponents.

Rafizi said he faced discomfort from PKR leaders, including a memo by party secretary-general Fuziah Salleh suggesting that questioning the judiciary implies a loss of confidence in the prime minister - who is also PKR president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"To me, the true test of a leader is not how loudly he confronts his opponents. The real test lies in the consistency and courage to speak out against one's own party and government."

"Because rebuking a friend is far harder than criticising an ene...