Kuala Lumpur (May 26) - PKR has removed deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar from her role as the party’s joint election director as part of a wider restructuring of its election machinery ahead of future electoral battles.
The party announced that Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari will take over the position alongside Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who remains as joint election director. The decision was made following a meeting of PKR’s Political Bureau.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the changes were part of a strategic effort to strengthen coordination, improve field operations and streamline the party’s election preparations nationwide.
While Nurul Izzah is no longer overseeing the party’s election machinery directly, Fuziah stressed that she will continue to hold an important role within the party. According to the statement, the PKR deputy president will now focus on strengthening grassroots capabilities, organisational development and capacity-building efforts within the party machinery.
The move comes less than a year after Nurul Izzah was appointed joint election director following her victory over Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli in the party’s deputy presidential contest. Her appointment had been viewed as part of PKR’s leadership transition plans and efforts to strengthen its electoral strategy after internal party elections.
The latest reshuffle takes place during a turbulent period for PKR, which has faced growing scrutiny following Rafizi’s departure from the party and the emergence of Parti Bersama Malaysia as a new political force attracting former PKR members and supporters.
Political observers have interpreted the restructuring as an attempt by the party leadership to consolidate its election machinery amid concerns over internal divisions and future electoral challenges. Amirudin, who has extensive experience managing party operations in Selangor, is expected to play a larger role in preparing PKR’s strategy ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
The reshuffle also saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary, Datuk Azman Abidin, appointed as director of PKR’s election war room, while former National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi was named his deputy. The appointments are aimed at strengthening campaign coordination, election monitoring and operational planning.
Despite speculation surrounding Nurul Izzah’s removal from the election director role, party leaders have insisted the change should not be viewed as a demotion but rather a redistribution of responsibilities designed to improve organisational efficiency.
For Sabah, the developments within PKR are being closely monitored given the party’s position within the federal unity government and its role in shaping future electoral cooperation with regional parties. Any significant changes to PKR’s leadership structure or electoral strategy could influence political alignments ahead of the next general election, particularly in states where coalition dynamics remain fluid.
The restructuring signals that PKR is entering a critical phase as it attempts to stabilise its internal organisation, strengthen grassroots support and respond to growing political competition both within and outside the unity government coalition.