PETALING JAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar says the possibility that Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli would step down was the reason why she decided to contest for the PKR No. 2 post.
"I received news while I was in India to attend an international conference that Rafizi had gone on leave and had vacated his office.
"The party leadership was informed that a resignation letter had already been prepared," she said in her final campaign message on Facebook on Thursday (May 22).
She said this was after a series of defeats leaders aligned to the Economy Minister and PKR deputy president suffered at the party division polls.
Media reports had suggested that the poor showing of those in Rafizi’s camp had stirred dissatisfaction, fuelling speculation that he was stepping down from his role as Economy Minister. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later confirmed that Rafizi had only gone on leave.
Nurul Izzah said the anxiety over a potential vacancy prompted party members and leaders to make the call for her to run for the PKR no.2 post, a call echoed by 201 out of the 220 party divisions.
"Only on the last day did Rafizi announce his nomination, after I had accepted the call," she said.
"It is undeniable that Rafizi's criticisms towards the polls results reflected the voices of many divisions which was witnessing a change in the status quo," she said.
Nurul Izzah acknowledged that every party election comes with its own set of challenges.
She said although international auditors were roped in to audit concerns raised, she said it was also important to improve the party election process to address any trust deficit.
She said further measures are important to create the culture of responsibility, transparency and unity, which is in line with what the party's leaders have always advocated for.
Rafizi will be defending his deputy president post and Nurul Izzah is his sole challenger.
Rafizi's campaign tagline was "hiruk" (noise), while Nurul Izzah went the opposite way with "damai" (peace).
Party delegates will vote on Friday (May 23) for central leadership council posts and the new leadership line-up will be announced at the PKR national congress on May 24.
