Nurul Izzah quits as PKR veep, Penang chief, govt posts

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar announced today her immediate resignation from the PKR vice-presidency as the ruling party is hit by fresh allegations of nepotism and favouritism.

The eldest daughter of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also relinquished her new appointment as the party’s Penang chief and her other federal government appointments, including as chairman of the special task force on the problem-riddled Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

“I am resigning as Vice President of the People’s Justice Party, and relinquish my appointment as the Chair of PKR Penang. The leadership has been informed of my decision,” the 38-year-old said in a statement.

“I will also no longer serve the federal government in any capacity. I leave the decision as to my role in the Penang state level government-linked companies to the party leadership,” she added.

She made it clear she will remain a member of PKR and a lawmaker until the term expires, at the next general election due in five years.

The member of the bipartisan Public Accounts Committee said she leaves her position in the parliamentary watchdog to her party.

Nurul Izzah said she regretted delaying her resignation, chalking it down to the rapid political changes that have taken place within her party and nationally since campaigning in the May 9 general election.

“Now that I have had the chance to take stock of where I stand in relation to politics, I am resolved to doing the right thing,” she said.

She did not actually make clear the reason for her resignation, saying only that there are “beliefs and ideals I hold dear and I feel that I can be most true to them by taking this course of action I am now announcing”.

Nurul Izzah reiterated her commitment to government and legislative reforms.

She noted that her party, one of four in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, had played a key role in expanding the democratic space for reforms and wished the new PKR leadership all the best.

But the woman — who was once dubbed “Puteri Reformasi” at the start of her political awakening in 1998 — indicated that all may not be well within PKR, which has been roiled in controversy even after its internal leadership elections ended.

“To what end will come of the successful completion of the promised reform agenda by Pakatan Harapan remains to be seen — as such, it remains crucial that all stakeholders continue pressing for the fulfilment of the reforms, as well as the continuation of policies and programs of the previous government if proven to be beneficial for the rakyat.

“I wish the leadership and the party the very best,” she said.