Nurul Izzah Anwar has temporarily stepped aside from her role as deputy president of Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party (PKR) to focus on her studies, according to malaymail.com.
The decision, reported on Friday, comes after the party rejected her earlier bid to resign from the post. Instead, PKR granted her temporary leave, allowing her to pause her political duties while she pursues academic work, as detailed by theedgemalaysia.com.
Izzah, the daughter of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, had previously reiterated her intention to leave the position, according to Malaysiakini. In her statements, she referred to Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as the party’s deputy president, a title that underscores the transition underway during her absence.
The move has drawn attention from regional media, with The Straits Times and NST Online both covering the development. While the exact nature of her studies has not been disclosed in the available reports, the temporary leave arrangement means she will retain her position within the party structure without performing its full duties for now.
PKR’s decision to grant leave rather than accept her resignation suggests the party leadership values her continued involvement, even as she prioritises personal advancement. The arrangement appears designed to allow her to return to the role once her academic commitments are complete.
Observers will be watching whether this temporary absence shifts the party’s internal dynamics, particularly as Saifuddin steps into a more prominent position during her time away. The situation also raises questions about how Izzah’s political trajectory will evolve after her studies conclude.
