JOHOR BAHRU (May 23): Nurul Izzah Anwar has defeated Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli in a closely watched, head-to-head battle to become deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the lynchpin party of Malaysia’s unity government.
Nurul Izzah, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, secured 9,803 votes, beating Rafizi, PKR election committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said in announcing results of the party elections Friday night.
At the time of writing, the number of votes Rafizi garnered has not been revealed.
Anwar retained the PKR presidency unchallenged.
Meanwhile, in the contest for the four PKR vice-president’s posts, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari successfully defended their positions.
They were joined by Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk R Ramanan, who secured the remaining slot.
Amirudin led the pack with 7,955 votes, followed by Ramanan (5,895), Aminuddin (5,889) and Chang (5,757). Chang and Aminuddin are both perceived allies of Rafizi.
Ramanan ousted the remaining incumbent Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, another prominent ally of Rafizi.
Other notable figures who lost their bids include Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Segamat MP R Yuneswaran.
Zaliha only announced the winners’ vote counts. At the time of writing, it is not known how many votes Rafizi garnered.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil retained his place in the party’s central leadership council, securing 4,811 votes to place within the top 20.
Other prominent figures who retained their positions in the central leadership council include Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, and former education minister Maszlee Malik.
With Nurul Izzah's latest win, a Cabinet reshuffle may be on the cards for Anwar’s unity government, as Rafizi had previously pledged to resign as economy minister if he fails to retain the party’s number two post.
Notably, Nurul Izzah has maintained that she is not seeking a Cabinet position even with her new role, saying she will instead focus on party affairs in the lead-up to the next general election, which is expected in about two years.
If Rafizi follows through on his promise, this would leave Anwar with a difficult decision to make, as he may need to appoint a new economy minister without disrupting the government’s economic messaging amid global economic uncertainties.
Previously, Anwar said the results of the PKR elections would have no bearing on the Cabinet, but noted that he could not prevent any minister from resigning.
Anwar, in his keynote address, said the elections were a fight between friends and asked for parties to put the issues behind them regardless of who wins.
“As much as it stings, accept it. If the blood pressure rises, take your medicine,” the prime minister added.