In her final campaign message to PKR delegates, Nurul Izzah said she was in India for a conference when she received news that Rafizi Ramli had taken a leave of absence as economy minister and also cleared out his office in Putrajaya.
She said the PKR leadership was also informed about a letter of resignation from the Cabinet post that Rafizi had already prepared.
Nurul Izzah said this sparked concerns that Rafizi may decide not to defend his PKR deputy president’s post, which then led to unease over a potential leadership vacuum.
“This followed a series of losses at the divisional elections involving leaders aligned with Rafizi, as well as other leaders at the grassroots level.
“Because this possible leadership vacuum made many uneasy, especially PKR members and leaders, some called for me to contest for the deputy presidency.
“This call was supported by 201 of 222 PKR divisions. Only on the final day of nominations did Rafizi announce his candidacy, after I had taken up the call to contest,” she said in a Facebook post.
Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are in a straight fight for the deputy presidency, which Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, was appointed a party vice-president.
At the height of speculation on Rafizi’s resignation, Malaysiakini quoted an anonymous minister as denying that he had resigned, saying he had only taken a leave of absence.
Rafizi later said he took a week’s leave from his ministerial duties to “manage” issues that arose during the party’s divisional elections.
Nurul Izzah acknowledged that Rafizi’s criticism over the outcome of PKR’s divisional polls reflected the grouses of many divisions, which saw a change in the status quo.
She maintained that every concern and issue raised by candidates must be thoroughly checked and handled by the PKR election committee.
“Although audit by an international firm has been conducted to investigate the concerns raised, it is very important for improvements to be made to the election process in answering these concerns and reducing the existing trust deficit.
“Strict measures and further improvements are crucial to inculcate a culture of responsibility, transparency and unity, values often stressed by the party’s leadership.”