MDC Amirudin shoots down PKR MP's 'theory' behind Nurul Izzah's resignation
PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari has poured cold water on party veteran Hassan Abdul Karim’s claim that Nurul Izzah Anwar’s decision to step down as the party’s deputy president is linked to dissatisfaction over Putrajaya’s efforts to combat corruption.
Asserting that Nurul Izzah had never raised her supposed qualms over the government’s war on graft with the party’s leadership, including during its meetings, Amirudin, who is also the PKR election director, labelled Hassan’s “assumption” as being “off the mark.”
PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari has poured cold water on party veteran Hassan Abdul Karim’s claim that Nurul Izzah Anwar’s decision to step down as the party’s deputy president is linked to dissatisfaction over Putrajaya’s efforts to combat corruption.
Asserting that Nurul Izzah (above) had never raised her supposed qualms over the government’s war on graft with the party’s leadership, including during its meetings, Amirudin, who is also the PKR election director, labelled Hassan’s “assumption” as being “off the mark.”
This, the Selangor menteri besar reportedly said, is particularly so as Hassan “does not attend” such meetings.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Amirudin also stood by PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s earlier statement on Nurul Izzah’s move to quit her party post, insisting that the Pasir Gudang MP’s statement was merely his personal view.
“I refer to the statement by the prime minister, who is also the party president and Nurul Izzah’s father.
“I find it odd that (Hassan) would presume to understand Nurul Izzah better than her father,” Amirudin told reporters in Shah Alam today.
Yesterday, Hassan said Nurul Izzah was “uncomfortable” and “disagrees” with how the government handles anti-corruption issues, with her views allegedly supported by many others.
“But, as a loyal party member, the daughter of a fighter, her choice was to step down for now.
“If the time comes, she will return, God willing,” Mingguan Malaysia reported him saying in an interview.
READ MORE: Rodziah disappointed by Nurul Izzah's decision to quit PKR No 2 post
Nurul Izzah's request rejected
In an Aug 6 statement, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the party’s central leadership had rejected Nurul Izzah’s request to resign as its deputy president, opting instead to grant her temporary leave.
The council, chaired by Anwar, also decided that vice-president Saifuddin Nasution Ismail would temporarily carry out the duties of deputy president during her absence.
However, in a Facebook post published after Fahmi’s statement was circulated, Nurul Izzah had reiterated her intention to step down from the party’s number two post, with the former Permatang Pauh MP saying she plans to further her studies and focus on commitments “beyond the political arena”.
Her post, which did not mention her status as going on temporary leave, also referred to Saifuddin as the party’s deputy president, rather than as her temporary successor.
Anwar later said he had approved Nurul Izzah’s request for temporary leave from her role in the party because she had “strong reasons” for doing so, affirming that she remains an active party member.
