Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has refuted allegations of nepotism regarding the selection of his daughter Nurul Izzah as the new deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), insisting that the appointment was made through a democratic process and received the open support of party members.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who is also PKR president, slammed the narrative being played out by some quarters and stressed that Nurul Izzah's credibility, like other leaders in the party, should be fairly assessed based on her strength and contributions to the party's struggle.
Responding to allegations of nepotism made by some quarters, Anwar recalled the time when his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, emerged to lead the party at its most difficult time. He noted that there were no accusations of nepotism then, contrasting it with the current situation where such claims have surfaced following Nurul Izzah's ascent through the democratic process and her receiving open support from party members.
Yesterday, Nurul Izzah secured a landslide victory in the PKR election, defeating incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to be appointed as deputy president for the 2025-2028 term. This victory marked a significant change in the party's top leadership, with Nurul Izzah becoming the first woman to hold the party's number two position, which was previously dominated by male leaders.
Anwar emphasized that PKR must not be trapped in the enemy's narrative and must firmly fight against narratives that attempt to distort the party's struggle. He stated that the party is not afraid of being tested or criticized, as it was founded on the courage to fight tyranny and injustice.
He further asserted that PKR would continue to be the voice of the people by advocating an economic agenda that defends the vulnerable, dismantling oppression, and consistently driving reform and governance that is more transparent, clean, and authoritative.
The PKR president also urged the party's leadership and members to uphold the principles of justice, strengthen integrity, and firmly reject narrow politics based on racism and slander that are propagated by the opposition.
Anwar concluded by stating that PKR is not just a political party but a platform for struggle built on the efforts and confidence of the people, aiming to manage the country more justly and equitably with principles. He called for loyalty not to individuals but to the ideals of the party's struggle, encouraging unity to better face the challenges of the upcoming election. "This struggle is not over yet," he affirmed.