Nurul Izzah steps down as PKR No 2 to pursue further studies

Nurul Izzah Anwar has announced that she is relinquishing the PKR deputy presidency to pursue further studies.

In a statement, the daughter of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim thanked her father and the party leadership "for acknowledging my decision to relinquish the PKR deputy presidency".

She expressed confidence that Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who has taken over the deputy presidency in the interim, and PKR election director Amirudin Shari are capable of carrying out their duties well.

"Following extensive deliberation, I decided to embark on a new path by pursuing further studies rooted in serving the people, which is not necessarily tied to the realm of politics," she said.

"I will continue to be a PKR member, giving my support in the struggle for a better Malaysia, as championed by the party leadership and its grassroots, led by Anwar."

"To PKR members at all levels and all who have been by my side in this struggle, I would like to express my deepest appreciation. Thank you for your unending trust, feedback, prayers and sacrifice," she added.

Nurul Izzah also confirmed that she would be attending the PKR congress next week. She is set to officiate the Wanita PKR and PKR Youth congress on Aug 14.

Earlier, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil said Nurul Izzah would only take temporary leave from her duties as PKR deputy president after the party's national congress. Fahmi said she had requested to step down from the post altogether, but the PKR leadership decided to allow her to take a break instead.

Nurul Izzah was elected PKR deputy president in May last year, defeating her predecessor, Rafizi Ramli.

The bitter race and resulting defeat for Rafizi led him to leave PKR with former vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and to launch a new party, Bersama.