Nurul Izzah remains a PKR member, pledges continued support for Anwar

Nurul Izzah Anwar says she will remain a PKR member and continue to support the party leadership's struggle under President Anwar Ibrahim, following her decision to step down from the party's number two post.

In a statement, Nurul Izzah expressed her appreciation to Anwar and the PKR leadership for taking note of her decision.

She explained that the decision was made after long consideration, to allow her to pursue further studies and open a new chapter in her life.

"This decision was made after long consideration, to take a new step in pursuing further studies that stands on service and dedication, and is not necessarily tied to the world of politics," she said in the statement, originally issued in Malay.

"I will remain a PKR member, giving my support to the struggle towards a better Malaysia embraced by the party leadership under Anwar and its grassroots."

She also expressed confidence in Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as deputy president and Amirudin Shari as election director to carry out their responsibilities wisely and diligently.

Earlier, PKR announced that Nurul Izzah would take temporary leave from her duties as deputy president after the party's national congress next week.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil was quoted as saying that Nurul Izzah had in fact asked to resign completely, but the party's central leadership council (MPP) decided to allow her to take a break from the role instead.

Nurul Izzah was also announced as the officiator of the PKR Women's and Youth Congress on Aug 14.

She was elected PKR deputy president in May last year, defeating the incumbent, Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi subsequently left the party together with former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad to launch Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).