About two hours after Rafizi’s announcement, Nik Nazmi, 43, said in a Facebook post that he submitted his resignation from Cabinet to Anwar on Wednesday and will be on leave from Thursday until Jul 3.
He said that since his appointment to the Cabinet in Dec 2022, he has “worked tirelessly… to implement much-needed reforms”.
However, he recognised that his previous position as PKR vice-president “was a key consideration in my Cabinet appointment”.
“As I have failed to defend my party post during its recent elections, I have decided to resign as a Minister.”
The Setiawangsa Member of Parliament said he looks forward to returning to the backbench and focussing on his constituency work.
Following Rafizi’s defeat last Friday night, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would not ask for ministerial posts, but would gladly accept them if given.
“That (the possible vacant position) is their (PKR’s) right. We cannot interfere and we know the limits to our requests. But, if the post is given to UMNO, we will accept it with open arms,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister.
UMNO is a key partner in Anwar’s unity government.
Analysts earlier told CNA that Nurul Izzah’s victory and Rafizi’s subsequent resignation would leave Anwar with a political conundrum due to heightened division that could see Rafizi and his key supporters leaving the party. They drew parallels to how Anwar’s former Number Two Azmin Ali resigned from PKR in 2020.
Rafizi has no shortage of suitors.
Annuar Musa, supreme council member of the biggest opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), has urged Rafizi via a statement on his Facebook page to join the opposition coalition for the next national polls due by 2028.
At the same time, Anwar will have a hole to fill in his Cabinet, with the Economy Ministry spearheading key initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
Nurul Izzah has said she is not keen on a Cabinet post if she clinches the deputy presidency.
While Anwar may be keen for her to join the Cabinet to shore up PKR’s quota, doing so could exacerbate nepotism claims, observers said.
“I RESPECT HIM DEEPLY”, SAYS NURUL IZZAH
Posting on Facebook after Rafizi’s statement, Nurul Izzah described him as having a mind that is a “source of strength”, whether in government or not.
She said his ideas will not be forgotten and will continue to be refined and implemented, as they are “what is best for Malaysia”.
“He has introduced ideas and policies that have reshaped our discourse, especially in governance, transparency and economic justice. I respect him deeply,” she wrote.
Nurul Izzah said that her focus remains on strengthening the party by ensuring its top leadership is accountable.
“It is our responsibility to remind each other that we must not stray from the values and principles we have long upheld and fought for,” she said.
Nurul Izzah said the party would be introducing mandatory training for all party leaders on laws related to anti-money laundering, corruption and tax compliance, at both the central and branch levels.
