KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a damning indictment of a section of the party leadership, whom he said appeared to be more interested in playing politics than serve the people.
He broadly hinted that the disillusionment with the actions of these individuals could have also been behind the shock move by his daughter, Nurul Izzah, to quit as PKR vice-president.
Anwar said her departure was an indictment of certain individuals within PKR’s leadership, “whose deceptive platitudes place individual greed above party unity.”
In a statement, Anwar said that while many viewed Nurul Izzah’s move in quitting the vice-presidency and posts within the Federal government as an impulsive one which was not well thought out, it could not be further from the truth.
He said he had discussed at length with Nurul Izzzah her decision to step down.
“It is not my place to divulge details but I do know that with “the pace of political developments (having been relentless for the last nine months”, she is sick and tired of the deception and machinations of those who are more interested in playing politics instead of focusing on helping the rakyat they purport to serve.
“For example, there is disillusionment by the recent jumping of members of parliament to save their political skins or worse still, to shore up their power for nefarious needs.”
Anwar said Nurul Izzah chose to step down despite being elected as vice-president with an overwhelming majority and despite being appointed as PKR Penang chief following a convincing majority of the state’s division chiefs.
“This is an indictment of certain individuals within the party leadership ranks whose deceptive platitudes place individual greed above party unity,” he said.
He said Nurul Izzah had, for the last 20 years, championed the spirit of ‘reformasi’ and with fellow reformists, had remained steadfast in facing a multitude of challenges.
“The 9th of May (the 14th general election) was a watershed for many reasons but our victory in attaining greater democratic space will count for nothing if the agenda for reform is sabotaged.
While I cannot deny that her resignation is a great loss to not only PKR but the entire nation, I call on all party members and indeed, all Malaysians to respect her decision and give her space to reflect and ultimately decide on her next course of action.
Nurul Izzah Anwar had dropped a bombshell on Monday, announcing her resignation as PKR vice-president as well as relinquishing her post as Penang PKR chairman.
Nurul Izzah, who is the daughter of Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had also announced that she would no longer be serving the Federal government in any capacity.
“My only regret is that I should have made this announcement sooner, but it has not been an easy decision to arrive at. The pace of political developments has been relentless for the last nine months, with party elections following a grueling general election campaign.
“Now that I have had the chance to take stock of where I stand in relations to politics, I am resolved to doing the right thing,” she was quoted as saying.
Despite appeals from various quarters, she maintained that she would make a U-turn on her decision on the issue.
Nurul Izzah had faced a barrage of criticism prior to her decision to quit, in particular over her appointment as Penang PKR chief. PKR member Latheefa Koya had taken issue with Nurul Izzah’s appointment, labeling it inappropriate given that her father is PKR president and that the practice of appointing close relatives to important positions “should have no place in a reformist party.”