KENINGAU: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has reiterated that she will relinquish her Cabinet position once Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becomes prime minister.
Wan Azizah said that it had been made known to PKR members that she would step down when the incoming PKR president is made Malaysia’s 8th premier.
“He was promised the position of Prime Minister, and when the time comes (for him to assume the post), I will no longer be in Cabinet,” she told reporters at the Jasamu Dikenang event here today.
The ceremony at Dewan Yuk Yin here was held in honour of the Minister of Women and Family Development, in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of PKR’s establishment.
Earlier in her speech, the Pandan MP rubbished the claim made by certain quarters that Anwar’s “rushed” move to return to politics appears to betray his impatience.
Wan Azizah retorted by saying that it is her husband’s right to plan his political return, and reminded the audience that Anwar had endured 11 years of not only being deprived of office, but languishing in jail.
“We as (PKR) party members need to give our support to his sacrifices. He had made big sacrifices for the party and the people.
“We must also remember that we did not win easily, and after becoming the government, we need to do what is best for the people.
“It is not impossible for us to lose the nation’s leadership if we slack and repeat the mistakes of the past government,” she said.
Meanwhile, when asked if Wan Azizah’s eventual relinquishing of her Cabinet post would give him the chance to return to Parliament, former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said the matter has not been discussed.
However, Rafizi said that he has an understanding with the party’s leadership that he would not return to Parliament through a by-election.
“If (I do return, it) will be in the 15th general election. So (Wan Azizah can) remain as Pandan MP,” he added.