KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): "Puteri Reformasi" Nurul Izzah Anwar once again proved that she is a minister-slayer after the PKR vice-president emerged triumphant in a bruising battle with Barisan Nasional's Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin for the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat last night.

Official results at 11.35pm showed that Nurul Izzah eaked out a 1,848 majority, after receiving 31,008 votes to 29,160 votes for Raja Nong Chik. Independent candidate Rusli Baba received 167 votes and lost his deposit, while 519 votes were rejected.

Nurul Izzah said she was proud of the voters in Lembah Pantai as the high turn-out had certainly helped her in winning the seat.

"I am extremely proud of their efforts especially with the 84% turnout rate. Goodness me, I mean that is amazing," she said.

"I use to have much lower turn-out especially in Bangsar and now really the people have spoken."

Lembah Pantai has 72,533 voters and for the 13th general election it saw some 60,855 voters casting their ballots (84.3% turnout).

This time around her majority was lower compared to the 2008 general election, when she beat another minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil by a 2,895 majority, but Nurul Izzah attributed this to challenges she had to face in recent years.

"To me, we had to face a lot of challenges. If we talk about controversies, we have reported a lot.

"With a lot of limitations, with no mainstream media at all to give positive coverage even, but the rakyat knows better because they have matured," she said.

The win is a start for her and she thanked God for the chance to serve the people of Lembah Pantai once again.

"This win is not for me but it is a responsibility to improve my service and speak for the rakyat," said Nurul Izzah.