PERMATANG Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has quit her post as PKR vice-president as well as chair of Penang PKR.

In a sudden announcement today, she also said she “regretted” not making the announcement sooner, and would now focus on being a government backbencher committed to reforms.

“I am resigning as vice-president of (PKR) and relinquishing my appointment as the chair of PKR Penang. The leadership has been informed of my decision.

“My work as elected representative for the people of Permatang Pauh and as a legislator will continue until my term expires. I will also remain as an ordinary member of PKR,” she said in a statement.

Nurul Izzah said there were “beliefs and ideals” she held dear to and felt she could be “most true to them” with her resignation.

“The pace of political developments has been relentless for the last nine months, with party elections following a gruelling 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,” said the daughter of party president, Anwar Ibrahim.

Her announcement comes a day after she tweeted angrily about news of defections by Umno lawmakers and members amid speculation that Pakatan Harapan parties would accept them.

“Betrayal of mandate given the 9th of May, insults those who are loyal to the cause. Our party was attacked before by defections. Wouldn’t want that kind of pain and antics upon anyone else. There is no meaning to democracy if Malaysia is governed by elite based politicking.”

Her move to relinquish the Penang PKR chief’s post comes after party member Latheefa Koya’s criticism earlier today, as the appointment was made by Anwar.

Nurul Izzah said she would leave it to the party leadership to decide on her state-level roles in companies linked to the Penang government. 

She added that she would also no longer serve the federal government “in any capacity”.

“I remain a member of the parliamentary backbench committed to reforms. I also leave to the leadership the decision as to my status as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).  I had earlier relinquished my post as chair of the Bills Committee in favour of the PAC,” she said.

“I will continue my advocacy work as an ordinary citizen and member of parliament for Permatang Pauh.

“My only regret is that I should have made this announcement sooner, but it has not been an easy decision to arrive at.”

In the recent PKR polls, Nurul Izzah retained the vice-president’s post with the highest number of votes. – December 17, 2018.