Zuraida: She's been quitting, so nothing new to Nurul Izzah's PAC resignation

KUALA LUMPUR: There is nothing new about Nurul Izzah Anwar’s resignation from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), says PKR vice president Zuraida Kamaruddin.

After all, Nurul Izzah had on numerous occasions resigned from various positions over recent months, said the Housing and Local Government Minister.

“So I think Nurul Izzah’s resignation is nothing new because she resigned from the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education Training) task force.

“She also resigned as (PKR) vice-president,” Zuraida told reporters when met at Parliament lobby on Wednesday (March 27).

Last Friday (March 22), Nurul Izzah tendered her resignation from PAC, citing her dissatisfaction over Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee’s chairmanship of the committee after the former Umno MP defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, part of the ruling Pakatan Harapn coalition.

According to Zuraida, she had advised Nurul Izzah to consult with top Pakatan leaders for an explanation regarding the PAC matter before making a decision.

“But before that was done, a public statement was made, and I cannot do anything anymore,” said Zuraida.

She added that she would leave it to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to decide on whether to take action against Nurul Izzah.

“We celebrate differences of opinions, and everybody can see it.

“It’s up to the president to look into it and what further action needs to be taken. So I’ll leave it to the president,” she said.

On Tuesday (March 26), Anwar said that Nurul Izzah was entitled to her opinion and that, as a family, they would continue to focus on Malaysia’s future and serve together with the Pakatan government led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Zuraida also denied that Nurul Izzah's dissenting views was an indication of unrest within PKR.

“I wouldn’t say (there's unrest) because we celebrate differences of opinion, we are open to it.

“Everybody can say (what they want),” she said.

Last December, Nurul Izzah also caused a stir after she announced her resignation as PKR vice-president and Penang PKR chairman.

She also announced then that she would no longer be serving in the federal government in any capacity. Previously, she headed the government’s TVET taskforce.

She also drew brickbats over her recent remarks on Dr Mahathir, telling Singapore’s The Straits Times that she was “broken hearted” having to once again work with the 93-year-old, whom she labelled a “former dictator”.

However, she told reporters in Parliament on Tuesday (March 26) that despite the backlash over her remarks, she would continue to speak her mind.- Star