Ezam Mohd Noor today revealed that he has relinquished all his posts in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and asked members not to nominate him for the upcoming party polls.

The former PKR Youth chief said he wanted to devote his time to the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption (Gerak) started by him.

Considered one of the brightest stars in the opposition party, his decision to quit active politics has disppointed many of his supporters.

On Sunday, the 40-year-old politician had stepped down as PKR Selangor deputy chairperson and Shah Alam division chief - the two party posts that he continued to hold after stepping down as Youth chief last year.

"Holding a party post is sometimes an obstacle. Some people may see me as being biased," he told malaysiakini during an interview at his house in Shah Alam yesterday.

"There are times where we have to make a firm decision. Especially for those who have been in the party since day one, in can be quite painful. This is the right decision for me. I can see myself contributing more effectively as the Gerak chair," he said.

According to Ezam, Gerak is poised to release a document which allegedly shows government corruption in a week's time.

He said possible future plans such as mobilising Gerak during general elections for awareness campaigns may cause conflict should he be an active politician vying to be elected.

Mischievous speculations

Ezam, a confidant of former deputy premier and PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim, has been dogged by various speculations since he formed the corruption watchdog in 2005.

This include his alleged relationship with Umno leaders including Khairy Jamaluddin, his intentions to rejoin Umno and his involvement in internal party squabbles.

One rumour suggested that Ezam had fallen on the wayside of the tussle for party deputy presidency, which incumbent Dr Syed Husin Ali is expected to vacate.

"People love to speculate [...] and there must be some mischievous people in the party out to discredit me," said Ezam when asked about this.

"But it (the allegations) is very illogical. If you want to join Umno, you should go for the highest post in the party (PKR). That way you can have more bargaining power before crossing over.

"Secondly, over the past few months as Gerak chair, I have been repeatedly lodging police reports against the Umno president [...] how can he accept me as a member? I think the speculation of me joining Umno should not arise at all," he added.

Azmin factor

On the upcoming PKR elections in May, Ezam said the party has decided to make Anwar president despite restrictions from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

"Our focus should be on how to install Anwar as president. We made the decision that he should be there because he has a right to be involved in any (political) party," he said.

Anwar is barred from being involved in active politics until April 2008 following his conviction and jailing for corruption.

Ezam also denied that his decision to quit was related to differences with his protege and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, who is also rumoured to be vying for the number two spot. Azmin was nominated for the post by the PKR Kelana Jaya division over the weekend.

"I have never acted in this party based on individuals. I was the one who brought Azmin into the party [...] There is no truth that my decision (to relinquish the posts) was based on any individuals," he replied.

Ezam said previously he gave up several party posts at both the national and state levels to Azmin because of the latter's capabilities.

Asked if he would contest in the general elections, he replied, "I might consider, although my inclination now is towards playing an effective role as a NGO, addressing purely the issues of corruption in this coming general election."

After the interview, Ezam held a close-door meeting with some 100 party members and well-wishers who had gathered at his house to hear him explain his latest course of action.

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