Next '48 hours' CRUCIAL for Nurul as her enemies go all out to TARNISH HER

Although a private matter, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar’s decision to file a petition to annul her marriage may have political ramifications.

Thrust into the limelight at the tender age of 18, her untainted ‘Puteri Reformasi’ image helped carry her across the finish line in both the 2010 party polls and two subsequent general elections.

But circumstances surrounding her petition, alleged in both news reports and blogs, could soil her reputation.

In reporting the petition, several news organisations linked Nurul to another man, with one news portal delving into items of gossip, but later removing the salacious but unattributed information from its original article.

Some have even described the mother of two as having the potential to be the country’s first woman prime minister. But will she able to emerge from this storm intact? And as a key leader in PKR, what kind of impact will this have on the party?

Speaking on condition of anonymity, party insiders close to her agreed that whether or not the rumours are true, the timing of the petition was bad.

With nominations for party polls expected in March, Nurul had handed detractors both within and outside PKR ammunition by choosing to file her petition late last month.

“When the (fissures in the marriage) surfaced, we made the risks clear to her. We said, ‘If you cannot resolve it, then naturally the daggers will come out internally’.

“Yes, she did have marital problems, but there are always both sides... She may have to later clear her name.

“We told her that she has to be aware that if she files (for an annulment), it will impact on her career and the party,” said one PKR leader.

He said that with or without this personal crisis, Nurul’s clout in PKR means she could easily defend her post, but it is the fallout for PKR which is the bigger concern.

May diminish support

One member who studies PKR’s electoral support said that while the divorce petition is not a concern, allegations of a third party could diminish support particularly among Malays.

He said Malay society has different standards for male and female politicians - and a woman who is rumoured to have strayed from home would be judged more harshly.

“There will be a haemorrhage (of support) and we’re not just talking about Kerinchi or Pantai Dalam (the lower-income Malay-majority areas in her constituency of Lembah Pantai),” he added.

There is also frustration within the party rank and file that after so many attacks on Anwar Ibrahim’s character, there will yet again be an alleged ‘scandal’ to explain and defend.

They said that attacks could also come from Pakatan Rakyat partners who use morality as a yardstick to measure leadership.

They are also concerned that the matter could be dragged into the public realm through the court process.

“Whether we like her or not, she is a symbol of the party. People will relate this to Anwar, it is his daughter. We have to protect Anwar,” said one party operative.

Such sentiments are echoed within factions of the party who see Nurul as part of a ‘feudal’ structure within PKR - with Anwar as king, his wife and party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as queen and Nurul, the princess.

Outpouring of sympathy

There is however, a different narrative emerging.

An outpouring of sympathy following Nurul and husband Raja Ahmad Shahrir Raja Salim's joint statement is almost reminiscent of the Prince Charles and Princess Diana break-up - only for now, not many are taking sides.

In another silver lining, some believe that defending Nurul could bring the party together despite the expected polarising party polls.

Political scientist James Chin said that the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining how it will all play.

He said while other politicians have survived similar scandals, none were Malay, Muslim women.

“For the Chinese, these things are a private matter and has no bearing on her professional ability. The middle class Malays, who are her support base, are also more likely to draw that line,” he said.

He added that a somewhat flawed version of Puteri Reformasi may also humanise and win her more support.

“She may have difficulties with voters in Kerinchi and Pantai Dalam as they have a different worldview where things may be more black and white, but if you look at the election numbers, she lost in those areas anyway,” he said.

Goodwill can slowly wear off, however, if she goes through with the divorce proceedings and people are fed more salacious details of her private affairs.

“It will be a circus,” said Chin.

However, he said, this will only be a temporary setback that will not be able to completely undo her hard work within her constituency and party.

“People will be more forgiving because of the hardship she has had to endure. Her name also helps but it is not everything. She really does the work,” he added. - Mkini