KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 6): Nurul Izzah Anwar has requested to step down as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president just over a year into the role.

In a statement issued on Thursday, she said she will remain a PKR member and that the decision was made after much consideration to pursue further studies "grounded in service and contribution, which need not necessarily be tied to politics".

Her statement followed that of PKR information chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil which had revealed her request to step down and the party’s central leadership council (MPP) decision to grant her temporary leave instead.

"... After considering the views of Nurul Izzah and party leaders, the MPP agreed to grant Nurul Izzah temporary leave starting after the 2026 National Congress until a date that will be announced later," the statement read. 

During her leave PKR vice president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will temporarily carry out the duties of deputy president, the MPP decided.

The council also appointed PKR vice president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to fully assume the role of party election director.

He previously held the position jointly with Saifuddin Nasution, after Nurul Izzah relinquished the joint post in May 2026.

Fahmi added that Nurul Izzah would officiate the PKR Women's Congress and Youth Congress on Aug 14 as part of the 2026 National Congress programme. 

In her statement, Nurul Izzah said she deeply appreciated the party president and the party leadership for acknowledging her decision to step down as deputy president of PKR.

She expressed confidence that Saifuddin Nasution and Amirudin Shari would carry out their responsibilities well, thanked PKR members for their support, and said she looked forward to meeting them at the party's national congress on Aug 14-15.

Nurul Izzah, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, became the party's deputy president in May last year after defeating Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli in a closely watched party election. 

In March 2026, Nurul Izzah denied rumours that she was stepping down, saying she remained committed to fulfilling her responsibilities as the party's deputy president.

The latest development spells another setback for PKR at a time when it needs to regroup following a dismal performance in the Negeri Sembilan state election, where it was left with just two seats and lost the menteri besar (MB) post after two terms.

PKR failed to keep three seats in the polls, while its former MB Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun also lost in Linggi (N.32).

Its coalition partner DAP also suffered a setback in the state, as secretary general Anthony Loke lost the Chennah (N.01) seat, marking his first loss since entering politics over two decades ago.

The MPP meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

Fahmi said PKR accepted and respected the results of both state elections, while expressing appreciation to party members and teams who had worked hard during the two election campaigns.

The MPP also approved 3,533 new party members who registered online between July 12 and August 2026, he added.