JOHOR BAHRU : – Nurul Izzah Anwar has emerged as the new deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) after securing a decisive victory over incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli during the party’s internal elections.
The official results were announced by Central Election Committee chair Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa at the party’s 2024/2025 National Congress held at the Persada International Convention Centre tonight, according to Bernama.
Nurul Izzah, who garnered 9,803 votes, unseated Rafizi — the current Economy Minister — in a tightly watched contest that drew 32,030 eligible voters participating both in-person and online from 8am to 5pm.
The daughter of party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Nurul Izzah currently chairs the PKR Penang State Leadership Council. She also retained her position as the Permatang Pauh branch chief in the recently concluded divisional elections.
Dubbed the ‘Princess of Reform’ for her longstanding activism, the 44-year-old previously served as PKR Vice-President, a position she was appointed to in 2022 after opting not to contest that year.
Meanwhile, the PKR vice-presidency race saw three incumbents successfully defend their positions, with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari leading the pack with 7,955 votes. He was followed by Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who secured 5,889 votes, and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, who obtained 5,757 votes.
Joining them as the newest vice-president is Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who garnered 5,895 votes to claim a spot in the party’s top leadership for the first time.
Today’s congress was officiated by Anwar and attended by senior figures within the Pakatan Harapan coalition, including PKR Advisory Council chair Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and PBB secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Rafizi, who rose through the ranks from his early days as PKR Youth treasurer in 2003, reclaimed national leadership prominence when he won the deputy presidency in 2022, defeating former secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
This year’s leadership polls featured a total of 251 contenders across three wings: 104 for the Central Leadership Council, 85 for the Youth Wing (AMK), and 62 for the Women’s Wing. – Scoop.com