Good things come in pairs, they say—well, it looks like sometimes bad things do too!
With Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim already facing the grim prospect of losing some of his most trusted crew members who are contemplating leaving, now even his own party deputy president has decided to "abandon ship."
In fact, Nurul Izzah’s latest shocker is the last thing he needs. This is especially so with the much-hyped “August 16 D-Day” fast approaching, when his loyal ally, the DAP, will decide if the party's cabinet ministers should withdraw from the unity government.
For context, last Thursday (August 6), the PKR deputy president caused a stir after voicing her intention to step down from the party’s number two post.
This was later confirmed by the party's information chief Fahmi Fadzil, who said Nurul had indeed requested to step down. However, he added that the party’s central leadership decided to grant her a “leave of absence” instead, taking effect after the party’s congress next week.
Meanwhile, according to another news report, the former Permatang Pauh MP said she decided to relinquish her position as deputy president to further her studies.
Yes, you heard it right. To further her studies.
Interestingly, she also reportedly said that she has decided to embark on a new path rooted in serving the people, which is not necessarily tied to the realm of politics.
So the big question is: is the once-famed “Puteri Reformasi” merely taking time off to pursue studies, or is she bowing out of political leadership, for good?
Well, what exactly is going on in the Prime Minister's household lately?
Already, having his daughter serve as party deputy had previously drawn heavy criticism from opponents alleging nepotism. Now her sudden announcement to step down will surely leave his friends and foes alike scratching their heads.
Could it be that Nurul finally realised what many Pakatan Harapan leaders and grassroots already fear—that the PKR ship may be heading into dangerous, uncharted waters?
But then again, to her own detractors, would it really make much of a difference if she steps aside or even “quits” now?
Although she may work diligently behind the scenes, some have questioned her alleged lack of visibility in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
Nurul's decision is also bound to prompt many to recall PKR’s internal elections in May 2025, when she challenged the incumbent Rafizi Ramli for the party's deputy presidency and defeated him.
Back then, the move was like a bolt out of the blue that rocked the party.
Some might argue that Anwar has, for the most part, struggled to maintain the delicate balance with the feisty Rafizi after GE15, allowing internal cracks to grow until one of the party's primary strategists departed to launch a new political outfit.
The truth is, Rafizi was widely regarded by many as the mastermind behind PKR's election strategy and crucial electoral successes, and the man who helped the party to rise from the ashes following the devastating “Sheraton Move” in 2020.
As such, events leading to his departure from the party did not sit well with many PKR and PH supporters. To them, his straight-talking style and unique expertise were indispensable.
Moreover, how can any army enter the battlefield without a proven general?
It appears that losing him has left a huge void that PKR hasn't been able to fill; if anything, critics contend the party may have pressed its own self-destruct button by marginalising him in the internal polls.
But what exactly was Anwar’s long-term plan when Nurul was brought in to challenge Rafizi in the party elections?
Was it because the vocal Rafizi was perceived to be out of sync with his boss's own party directions?
Moreover, were there not also underlying tensions regarding several key advisors surrounding the leadership?
Hardcore critics may even wonder if the internal party maneuvers were aimed at consolidating a legacy—a debate more often associated with family-owned private business empires!
This raises another disturbing question: was her thrust into the party contest last year done hurriedly, without considering the consequences, which eventually left PKR divided and weakened—as evidenced by the recent lackluster electoral outcomes in Johor and Negeri Sembilan?
Ultimately though, what many concerned PH supporters may demand is: was taking on a popular, talismanic party icon like Rafizi a clear tactical misstep? In fact, did Nurul even covet the deputy president’s post in the first place? Sadly, if the party's top brass continues to remain in self-denial and refuse to heed the advice of its PH allies, Anwar's and PKR’s fate could well end up like that of Muhyiddin and Bersatu. The signs are already there.
Main information source: NST, Malaysiakini, Vibes and FMT.
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