Family Party Claims Nurul Izzah Breaks Silence

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PKR deputy presidential candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar has spoken up on the perception of PKR being a “family party” following her decision to contest the party’s second-highest post in the upcoming leadership election.
Nurul Izzah, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, said the label is not a new attack and has been used since 1998, when she, alongside the reform movement’s founders and activists, established PKR.
“This label has been used to belittle our struggle.
“When I won the (PKR) vice-presidency with the highest votes in 2010, 2014, and 2018, the same attacks were hurled.
“It was only in 2022 that I did not contest. Instead, I focused on and supported the Ayuh Malaysia movement, through which I introduced several policy initiatives to champion,” said the former Permatang Pauh MP in a statement today.
Her explanation came after she confirmed her nomination for the deputy presidency, with incumbent Rafizi Ramli defending his post.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
Commenting further, Nurul Izzah said that even if she had chosen to remain as a vice-presidential candidate, she would still be labelled the same way.
Therefore, Nurul Izzah said that regardless of the labels and perceptions thrown at her over the decades, she would continue to serve.
“God willing, because I believe that contesting openly and receiving a mandate from the grassroots is not a form of nepotism.
“On the contrary, that is the essence of democracy that we must uphold within our party. In 2018, I resigned from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) primarily in protest of then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s failure to ensure government spending was monitored by having the opposition lead the PAC,” she explained.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir MohamadFurther, Nurul Izzah also revealed that she had rejected a ministerial position when offered one after Harapan’s first victory in the 14th general election.
She explained that she declined the offer because it would have been a prime ministerial appointment in a cabinet that also included her mother, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as the deputy prime minister.
‘I won’t enter cabinet’
Looking forward, Nurul Izzah maintained she remains uninterested in a cabinet position even if she won in the current party polls.
“In fact, even if I were to win the position of deputy president, I am not interested in any cabinet post.
“I believe those reading this statement rationally can distinguish between nepotism - where one is appointed to a position by a family member - and a contest that is voted on by grassroots members,” Nurul Izzah added.
If elected, Nurul Izzah said her main mission would be to work hand-in-hand with members, supporters, and volunteers at the branches, especially in 50 marginal seats.
She further said that GE16 cannot be won through the efforts of any single individual and cannot be carried out alone.
“We can only win by uniting the strength of our branches and grassroots machinery, reaching the people and communities through campaigning, services, and effective communication strategies that resonate with the hearts and needs of all.
“We can no longer operate separately between the central leadership and the grassroots. Victory can only be achieved through a presence that connects with the people, and through a machinery that is active and functional.
“This is the moment for us to return to the original ideology of our party - to reunite PKR’s strength with the spirit of its founding struggle - to bring justice to all, taking into account socioeconomic needs and equal opportunities regardless of race, background, or belief,” she stressed. - Mkini

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