PETALING JAYA, Aug 6, 2026 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has decided to relinquish her duties in the post to pursue further studies, with the party’s central leadership granting her temporary leave rather than accepting a full resignation.
In a statement, the former Permatang Pauh MP thanked her father, PKR president and Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the party leadership “for acknowledging my decision to relinquish the PKR deputy presidency.” She said the move followed “extensive deliberation” and would allow her “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.”
Nurul Izzah emphasised that she would remain a PKR member and continue supporting the party’s struggle for a better Malaysia under Anwar’s leadership and the grassroots. She expressed confidence that vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who will serve as acting deputy president in the interim, and election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari would carry out their responsibilities with wisdom and diligence.
PKR information chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the party’s Majlis Pimpinan Pusat (Central Leadership Council) met on Thursday and considered her request to step down entirely. After hearing her views and those of party leaders, the council instead approved temporary leave from her duties, effective after the 2026 National Congress (scheduled for Aug 15–16 in Melaka) until a date to be announced later.
Saifuddin Nasution will assume the deputy president’s responsibilities during her absence. Nurul Izzah is still scheduled to officiate the Wanita PKR and Angkatan Muda Keadilan (Youth) congresses on Aug 14 as part of the national congress programme, and she confirmed she would attend the main congress.
Nurul Izzah was elected PKR deputy president in May 2025 for the 2025–2028 term after defeating then-incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. She had previously served as a vice-president of the party. The latest development comes amid ongoing efforts by PKR to strengthen its position following recent electoral challenges.
She has thanked party members at all levels for their trust, feedback, prayers and sacrifices throughout her political journey.
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