NURUL Izzah Anwar dismissed all nepotism allegations surrounding her bid to win the PKR deputy president’s post against incumbent and friend Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
She said that while it is difficult to ignore that her father is party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the nation's 10th Prime Minister, she wants the public to know that she is her own person in many ways.
"I have previously had disagreements with him (Anwar). In fact, some of his allies had tried to portray me in a bad light in the past. Yes, he is my father, and I respect him, but I have some (political) stance of my own (on some issues), Izzah said while on the campaign trail last night at the Dewan Ng Yam Huat in Bukit Mertajam.
"Thank - you for bringing the matter up. It is a firm reminder of my history."
Izzah said that despite the family ties, she just wants to do a job which she aspires for, which is to realise the potential of what PKR is, as a political entity rather than the stigma of the constant attempt to link her to Anwar.
"I was once even branded as a rebel when I had disagreements with the leadership. I was at odds over some issues."
Earlier, Izzah said that the contest with Rafizi is among "family" comrades and the party's goal is preparing for the next general and state elections.
She said that when in Sabah, her message to the delegates was that while there is a party election to undergo, PKR's main battle is preparing for the Sabah elections, which is due soon, and the climate there is quite intense with many political players present.
After which, Izzah, said that there is the Malacca and Johor state elections to contend with, all within the span of the next 24-months.
With just four days to go with a campaign stop in Negri Sembilan tonight, Izzah also dismissed the proposal to hold a debate with Rafizi.
It is because she prefers to concentrate her campaign on the grassroots at the divisional (cabang) level because they hold much insight into whether the party can win or not.
The candidate dubbed ‘Puteri Reformasi’ said that the voice and input from the grassroot would be of utmost importance to her if she is elected as the next deputy president.
"They have the ground intelligence to inform us of the sentiments and feel of the people, who are essentially our voters. We need their input. It is important."
Izzah also said that her reasoning for contest, is simply to unite the party to reach higher levels so they can focus on winning any election convincingly and to maintain the momentum of reforms.
Meanwhile, Rafizi during his campaigning in Ipoh remained resolute on skipping the opening of the PKR Youth and Wanita congress later in Johor, citing that he was placing principles over politics when it comes to his position in the party.
One of the reasons he reportedly cited was that he was not consulted over the launching of the Sabah PKR election machinery by the party. - May 19, 2025.
