PETALING JAYA: After Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli resigned as economy minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad followed suit and resigned from the Cabinet as the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister.
“I have tendered my resignation as the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, effective July 4.
“I will begin taking leave beginning tomorrow (May 29) till July 3,” said Nik Nazmi in an Instagram post on May 28.
Nik Nazmi said his previous position as PKR vice-president was among the reasons why he was appointed as a minister and since he lost his post in the recent party polls, he decided to resign as minister.
“I am waiting for a chance to return to serve as an MP and focus in my area in Setiawangsa.
“Quoting the late Britain MP Tony Benn ‘I left the Cabinet to focus more on politics and public service’,” said Nik Nazmi.
Nik Nazmi failed to defend his PKR vice presidency in an 12-cornered contest last weekend.
Nik Nazmi said since he was appointed as the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister in December 2022, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister in December 2023, he had done his best to carry out necessary reforms with the civil service.
“The success of both ministries include amendments to the Environment Qualities Act 1974, as well as improvements in transparency in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
“Malaysia is also among the countries that tabled the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) to curb environmental destruction and deforestation, which is recognised by the United Nations’ secretary general Antonio Guterres."
Earlier on Wednesday (May 28), Rafizi also resigned as Economy Minister, effective from June 17.
Rafizi was defeated by Nurul Izzah Anwar for the PKR deputy president’s post in the party polls.
