Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has further strengthened his hold over Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) after his eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah (main image), won the deputy presidency in the party’s internal poll yesterday, marking a significant development in the country’s evolving political landscape.
Political analysts said the result reflects the shifting power dynamics within the reformist party, long shaped by Anwar’s tumultuous political journey. It has also reignited debate over political dynasties in a country where family ties often intersect with power.
Despite allegations of nepotism, Nurul Izzah secured a landslide win over incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, the economy minister in Anwar’s government. Observers noted the result demonstrates her own political legitimacy.
“She won over 70 per cent of the delegates. This is a very strong mandate,” said Bridget Welsh, Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia.
Nurul Izzah garnered 9,803 votes while Rafizi received 3,866 in a hybrid election process where delegates voted both physically and online.
“Nurul Izzah’s victory signals that she has legitimacy in her own right, separate from her father. Her main task ahead is to show the public that she can play a viable role in government, to gain public legitimacy,” Welsh added.
Who is Nurul Izzah?
Aged 44, she is a founding member of PKR and often referred to as Puteri Reformasi, or the “Reform Princess”. She entered politics in the early 2000s at the height of a movement sparked by her father’s arrest and dismissal as deputy prime minister in 1998 over charges of corruption and sodomy.
She played a key role in the 2018 general election that saw PKR and its opposition allies unseat the Barisan Nasional coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since independence. She declined a ministerial post when her mother, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was appointed deputy prime minister, choosing instead to consolidate PKR leadership while Anwar, following his royal pardon, prepared to return to active politics.
In the 2022 general election, Nurul Izzah lost her parliamentary seat, missing the opportunity to be part of her father’s Cabinet when PKR and its allies, with the support of political blocs from Sabah and Sarawak, formed a unity government. At the time, she held no position in PKR, further distancing her from potential Cabinet appointments.
Her latest role as the party’s No. 2 now opens the possibility of joining Anwar in government. But the move could invite further accusations of favouritism, said Tunku Mohar Mokhtar, Associate Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
“Without a seat in Parliament, Anwar would need to appoint her as a senator to bring her into government, but this comes with a risk of nepotism, something he has been vocal against since the beginning of Reformasi,” he said.
Reformasi refers to the 1998 movement that led to the formation of PKR.
Critics have labelled the result as evidence of nepotism, with some PKR members expressing concern that the perception could be used as political ammunition by the opposition bloc, Perikatan Nasional, in the next general election.
What’s next for the party?
With Rafizi out, Nurul Izzah’s immediate challenge would be to unify the party after the election, said Welsh.
She must also address issues raised during the campaign, such as allegations of irregularities and money politics involving one of the newly elected vice-presidents, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who has denied the claims.
“The entry of tainted VP Ramanan will create controversy and has the potential to undermine PKR’s national standing,” Welsh said.
She added that issues raised during the campaign about irregularities will continue to percolate and must be addressed to regain credibility.
“The question will be how and if the new leadership team can rebuild the legitimacy of the party, especially on reform,” Welsh said.
Earlier in the day, Rafizi accused Nurul Izzah of aligning with factions motivated by money and positions. He said it will fall on her to manage those elements and uphold the party’s reformist vision.
Rafizi’s future and impact on Anwar’s government
Rafizi previously vowed to resign if he lost the election. While speculation is rife, the timing remains uncertain.
“Anwar has said that he can’t stop anyone from resigning, which had to be read as him asking those who lost to step down. It’s now a question of when he (Rafizi) will resign,” said Tunku Mohar.
