Quit move stirs PKR nest
Party abuzz over vacuum left by Nurul Izzah’s departure
PETALING JAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar’s replacement as an elected PKR vice-president must be from within the party’s central leadership council (MPP). MPP member Sivarasa Rasiah said an outsider could not be appointed to the vacant position of an elected VP.
“Under the PKR constitution, when there is a vacancy among those elected to the MPP, the council has to appoint one among themselves as a replacement. The person has to be a member of the council. He or she cannot be an outsider. The president has to abide by the constitution on this,” said Sivarasa.
Besides resigning as VP, Nurul also gave up being Penang PKR chief and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) task force chairman.
The Permatang Pauh MP said she would remain a parliamentary backbencher committed to reforms. Sivarasa, however, stated that the party had yet to accept her resignation.
“The MPP can either accept or ignore the resignation. However, ignoring is not a practical decision. At some point, MPP will have to appoint a replacement,” said Sivarasa.
The MPP is comprised of four elected and three appointed VPs, along with a Wanita and Youth chief.
There has been speculation from top party sources that former PKR VP Rafizi Ramli could be appointed to replace Nurul Izzah.
However, Sivarasa said PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim only had the prerogative to appoint the three non-elected VPs.
“The only restriction on Anwar is that one of the three appointed VPs must be from East Malaysia,” said Sivarasa.
Nurul Izzah was part of Rafizi’s team during the contentious party elections in November.
Datuk Seri Azmin Ali defeated Rafizi in the race for the deputy president’s post.
Azmin’s allies also won big in the party elections.
“Anwar cannot bring in Rafizi to replace Nurul Izzah, but can still appoint him into the MPP. But Azmin’s team will never agree to Rafizi being brought in as VP or as secretary-general. If Anwar insists on doing so, expect war,” said the source.
Party members have questioned Anwar’s recent announcement of state PKR chiefs.
Only two of the 14 state chiefs are aligned to Azmin.
Nurul Izzah’s resignation has raised concerns not only within the MPP but also from other PKR leaders and grassroots members in her constituency in Penang.
Sources inside the party said her shock announcement was received with anger, disappointment and sadness.
A local leader pointed out that as TVET task force chairman, Nurul Izzah could have brought much development to Permatang Pauh schools.
“She did not even discuss (her resignation) with any of us,
“Pakatan Harapan members gave her all their support to put her where she is. Just imagine their disappointment and anger,” said the source, who is a PKR leader there.
He added that there is sympathy for Nurul Izzah for the stress that she may be going through.
But as a politician, he said, Nurul Izzah should have realised her decision reflected badly on her father, who is the Prime Minister-in-waiting.
“The grassroots are now questioning why Nurul Izzah could not just talk it over with Anwar.
“If Anwar cannot even take care of his own daughter, how can he take care of the country?” he said.
Bukit Bendera PKR head and Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong said there had been far too much political drama in the country after the 14th general election.
“As much as it is a shock to party members and the nation, we understand that Nurul Izzah deserves a break, to make her point about reforms,” said Ong in a statement.
“With the exodus of Umno MPs, the country has gone from being on track with reforms to one that is potentially as dirty as the garbage we distance ourselves from.”
Jason said Nurul’s “selfless sacrifices” should be commended, as Pakatan Harapan had been “lulled into a false sense of security”.
“We offer her our support and understanding and pray that she will reconsider her decision to quit from all party posts,” added Ong.