PETALING JAYA: A proposal for Nurul Izzah Anwar to contest the PKR deputy presidency has received support from a party youth leader who sees it as a catalyst for more open, healthy competition for top leadership positions.
Johor PKR Youth vice-chief Muhammad Faezuddin Mohd Puad said Nurul Izzah's candidacy would offer the grassroots a fresh choice and would have a positive effect on democracy within the party.
"With the involvement of current deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, this year's elections will be more competitive," Sinar Harian quoted him as saying on Tuesday (May 6).
"The presence of Nurul Izzah will make the contest more open and progressive, and reflective of the political maturity within the party."
He added that Nurul Izzah would bring a combination of the younger generation's idealism as well as her experience as a party leader and people's representative since the early days of the Reformasi movement.
"She has not only been a symbol of Reformasi since 1998, but is a leader with principles and integrity who is close to the people.
"She has been vice president and held various key portfolios in the party and government," he said.
Faezuddin, who is also Pulai PKR chief, said Nurul Izzah's candidacy would also indicate PKR's commitment to the women's empowerment agenda and bring inclusivity to the highest echelons of its leadership.
"PKR has always been a meeting point for different voices and backgrounds. This time, the competition is not only about individuals, but about the direction of the party in the face of great political challenges," he said.
Meanwhile, Perak PKR has also thrown its support behind Nurul Izzah Anwar's candidacy for deputy president in the party's upcoming election.
Perak PKR information chief Azam Afandi said the party needed a leader who could enhance ties between PKR's founding generation and the new generation.
He said with her experience as a former party vice-president, two-term MP, human rights activist and campaigner for good governance, Nurul Izzah has the values and vision that are essential in leading the party.
Azam said the prime minister's daughter is also capable of instilling values such as moderation, firm principles and progressive thinking.
He said this will inject new spirit into PKR apart from strengthening ties between the party and its partners in the unity government.
“Her candidacy is not just about her personality or factors related to legacy. It is a matter of PKR's future as a party that is relevant and trusted by the people,” he said.
Earlier, Nurul Izzah announced that she would contest a vice-presidential position in the party.
The PKR deputy president's post is currently held by Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli, who has indicated he would defend it in the PKR elections this month.
Earlier, another division leader had urged Rafizi not to defend the post but make way for Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail instead.
The PKR central leadership elections are scheduled for May 24, with the contests for several positions, including the deputy presidency, being watched closely by analysts.
Nurul Izzah had previously stated that she intended to run for a vice-president's post, to which she was appointed after skipping PKR's 2022 elections.
The daughter of party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, she was Lembah Pantai MP from 2008 to 2018 and Permatang Pauh MP from 2018 to 2022.
In the party's division-level elections last month, she was returned unopposed as Permatang Pauh chief.
