Right decisions often the hardest, says outgoing minister Nik Nazmi
Published: Jul 4, 2025 5:25 PM
Updated: 8:54 PM
Summary
- Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad reflects on his last day in office today as natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, after tendering his resignation letter on May 28.
- The Setiawangsa MP also applauds the Federal Court’s latest ruling on Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, citing it as a win for freedom of assembly.
On his last day in office, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad reflected on how making the right decision is often the hardest.
The Setiawangsa MP shared his sentiments in a Facebook post this morning and described his resignation as a “difficult decision”.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a minister in this department, young and full of dedication. Thank you for understanding this difficult decision. The right decisions are often the hardest,” he said.
He quoted lyrics from the Green Day song “Good Riddance”: “So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why… But in the end it’s right, I hope you had the time of your life.”
Despite the option to remain in their ministerial positions, Nik Nazmi and now former economy minister Rafizi Ramli chose to resign, following their defeat two months ago in the PKR central leadership election.
Last month, Nik Nazmi justified his resignation based on prioritising PKR’s broader mandate for reform.
‘Freedom of assembly’
In a separate Facebook post, he also applauded the Federal Court’s latest ruling on Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, which deemed it unconstitutional.
He also urged for the section to be repealed from the Act, and reflected how he was also charged under the same law.
“I was charged in 2013, when organising the Black 505 Rally. In 2014, the Court of Appeal eventually decided to release me, deeming the act unconstitutional, but I have been accused multiple times and have often had to go back and forth to court.
“Eventually, I won the suit against the Malaysian government and the then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, and received RM230,000 in damages.”
Collage of Nik Nazmi at Black 505 rally and court visits
Nik Nazmi also expressed support for ex-Muda secretary general, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, who was charged under Section 9(5) of the PAA, for organising a rally over the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal, which Nik Nazmi himself also attended and spoke at.
“This decision is not only in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the people’s right to assemble peacefully, but also strengthens the foundations of a democratic nation that has always been upheld by the people of Malaysia.
“Only now, more than a decade later, has that injustice finally been redeemed through the nation’s highest judgment.
“This Federal Court decision reinforces the Court of Appeal’s position and sends a clear message: citizens should not be punished simply for failing to give notice to the police under Section 9(1) of the PAA. The right to assemble is a fundamental right and cannot be punished on technical grounds alone,” he said.
The former PKR vice-president hoped the decision would also be a turning point for authorities and government institutions to respect and protect the people’s fundamental rights.
“This case proves the importance of an independent judicial institution, and it cannot be taken lightly as one of the pillars of a parliamentary democracy like Malaysia,” he said.
An MP to fill void?
Utusan Malaysia reported that an MP “with an engineering background” is slated to replace Nik Nazmi.
In its report citing an unnamed source, the Malay daily said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to make an announcement on Nik Nazmi’s successor, before the Dewan Rakyat convenes on July 21.
Nik Nazmi also expressed support for ex-Muda secretary general, Amir Hariri Abd Hadi, who was charged under Section 9(5) of the PAA, for organising a rally over the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal, which Nik Nazmi himself also attended and spoke at.
“This decision is not only in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the people’s right to assemble peacefully, but also strengthens the foundations of a democratic nation that has always been upheld by the people of Malaysia.
“Only now, more than a decade later, has that injustice finally been redeemed through the nation’s highest judgment.
“This Federal Court decision reinforces the Court of Appeal’s position and sends a clear message: citizens should not be punished simply for failing to give notice to the police under Section 9(1) of the PAA. The right to assemble is a fundamental right and cannot be punished on technical grounds alone,” he said.
The former PKR vice-president hoped the decision would also be a turning point for authorities and government institutions to respect and protect the people’s fundamental rights.
“This case proves the importance of an independent judicial institution, and it cannot be taken lightly as one of the pillars of a parliamentary democracy like Malaysia,” he said.
An MP to fill void?
Utusan Malaysia reported that an MP “with an engineering background” is slated to replace Nik Nazmi.
In its report citing an unnamed source, the Malay daily said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to make an announcement on Nik Nazmi’s successor, before the Dewan Rakyat convenes on July 21.
“The vacancy needs to be filled because only cabinet ministers are qualified to make policy decisions for a particular ministry.
“This means that if there is a gap, it becomes difficult for a ministry to function properly,” the source was quoted saying.
The source reportedly said that the vacancy needs to be filled by a minister from PKR, given that Nik Nazmi is from the same party.
Additionally, the unnamed individual said that consideration must be given to racial diversity in ministerial appointments, to ensure representation of all communities in Malaysia.
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