KUALA LUMPUR – PKR’s recent state leadership reshuffle was designed to enable its leaders to concentrate on their ministerial duties, according to party vice president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Nik Nazmi explained that the decision, initiated by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, aimed to appoint local leaders to helm each state.
“The rationale (behind the reshuffle) is quite simple. The state leaders’ appointments were made after party polls and close to the general election,” he said after the launch of Forest Conservation Certificate (FCC) by Malaysia Forest Fund Plenary Theatre, KLCC today.
“The president’s decision at that time was for the states to be led by the party’s deputy and vice presidents.
“But now, we are the government…(the roles) have gotten heavy. So, the prime minister (Anwar) said to revert to the normal practice where (the states) are led by local leaders.”
Nik Nazmi, who now holds the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry portfolio, noted that deputy president Rafizi Ramli and vice president Chang Lih Kang also have significant ministerial roles.
Nik Nazmi previously helmed Kelantan and Terengganu, and was replaced by Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor and Ahmad Nazri Yusof for the respective states.
“At the end of the day, I am not contesting in either Kelantan or Terengganu, and the same goes to (other leaders). There are matters (on the national scale) that we have to focus on.
“It is a normal reshuffle to allow the party to focus, and allow new leaders to come up,” he said.
Yesterday, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil announced a leadership reshuffle in seven states.
Besides Nik Nazmi, Rafizi was relieved of his roles in the Federal Territories and Johor, with Datuk Azman Abidin and Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh stepping in respectively.
Additionally, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was replaced by Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh as the Pahang division leader.
Last month, Nik Nazmi said PKR would reshuffle the leadership of its state divisions, and Anwar had made up his mind on shifts in Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. – May 27, 2024