Pushing Nurul Izzah to be PKR No 2 can be its undoing, analysts warn

The push for Nurul Izzah Anwar to contest the PKR deputy president post against Rafizi Ramli can put the party at risk, warns a political analyst.

Jayum Jawan, who is a fellow of UiTM’s Institution of Malay Rulers Chair, said the move can make PKR be seen as a nepotistic party as Nurul Izzah’s father, Anwar Ibrahim, is its president and the prime minister.

He said such a situation would be against the “reformasi” spirit that Anwar had been championing and discourage people, including those within PKR, from supporting the party.

“Calling for Nurul Izzah to contest (for deputy president) is a mistake. It opens room for the perception of cronyism. It might cause many to abandon the party because of disappointment.

“Anwar himself had rejected cronyism before he came into power. If this happens, it’s like ‘meludah ke langit’,” he said, referring to a Malay proverb about going back on one’s own words.

According to Jayum, while Nurul Izzah has every right to run for the post, doing so would make it look like PKR lacks diverse perspectives.

It would also hinder PKR from criticising others for practising cronyism in the future.

‘Party members get to decide’

Nurul Izzah, 44, is currently a vice-president in the party.

There have been growing calls from within PKR since yesterday for the former Permatang Pauh MP to run for the deputy president post, which is currently held by Rafizi, the economy minister.

Meanwhile, political observer Faizal Kasmani believed that Nurul Izzah has the credibility and experience to contest the position.

However, he agreed that the move might invite criticism as she is Anwar’s daughter.

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“Whether Nurul Izzah is good enough to take on Rafizi is not for outsiders to determine, but instead it is a decision that PKR members have to make.

“Who else besides Nurul Izzah? She is a very suitable candidate and PKR is mature enough to decide,” he said.

‘Is it good for PKR?’

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Policy Research Centre director Azeem Farouk also had a similar take on the issue.

He said there is nothing wrong for any individual to enter the contest as long as the person meets all the requirements and has significant support in the party.

However, he said, it would be good if such incidents could be avoided.

“But it all depends on the acceptance of party members.

“If Nurul Izzah wins, it would be the first time in Malaysia’s political history that a father and his child hold the top two positions in a party.

“Members have to be wise in deciding whether this would be good for their party or otherwise,” he said. - Mkini