OPINION | Rafizi: Anwar Wants to Make Nurul Izzah Selangor MB
2 Dec 2025 • 12:30 PM MYT
TheRealNehruism
An award-winning Newswav creator, Bebas News columnist & ex-FMT columnist
Image credit: Utusan
When Rafizi Ramli speaks, the political world pays attention. And his latest revelation is perhaps his most explosive yet: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim allegedly attempted a covert plan in April 2024 to bring Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz into PKR, trigger two strategic by-elections, and pave the way for Nurul Izzah Anwar to become the next Selangor Menteri Besar.
The entire sequence of events was laid out in detail when Rafizi described how Anwar intended to unveil Zafrul’s entry at the PKR congress and subsequently orchestrate a parliamentary by-election for Zafrul and a state by-election for Nurul Izzah — a plan dismantled only because the details leaked early and triggered fierce objection from UMNO.
How the Plan Was Supposed to Work
Stage 1: Zafrul enters PKR
Anwar was reportedly preparing to make Zafrul’s entry a signature announcement at the party congress.
Anwar was reportedly preparing to make Zafrul’s entry a signature announcement at the party congress.
Stage 2: Two simultaneous by-elections
One for Zafrul to secure a parliamentary seat, and another for Nurul Izzah to return to the Selangor State Assembly.
Stage 3: Replacing the sitting Selangor Menteri Besar
With both in place, Zafrul’s position would help consolidate support for Nurul Izzah to replace Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari as Selangor’s leader.
Rafizi said the plan was pushed aggressively, with Anwar becoming upset when senior party figures disagreed — even though the matter had never been formally discussed in the leadership council.
But the scheme collapsed before it could be launched.
The Leak and UMNO’s Fury
The plan was derailed when someone inside Anwar’s own circle leaked it.
Rafizi revealed that internal factions accused one another of being responsible for exposing the strategy, which then caused UMNO to object sharply to PKR’s attempt to recruit Zafrul, who was still associated with the party at the time.
Caught off-guard by the premature exposure and mounting pressure, Anwar aborted the entire announcement.
The plan was derailed when someone inside Anwar’s own circle leaked it.
Rafizi revealed that internal factions accused one another of being responsible for exposing the strategy, which then caused UMNO to object sharply to PKR’s attempt to recruit Zafrul, who was still associated with the party at the time.
Caught off-guard by the premature exposure and mounting pressure, Anwar aborted the entire announcement.
Meanwhile, Amirudin Quietly Floated Nurul Izzah as a Successor
In a separate political twist, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari later acknowledged that he had personally suggested Nurul Izzah could succeed him as Selangor MB — arguing it could provide her administrative experience and reduce possible accusations of nepotism at the federal level.
Amirudin even said he had spoken to Nurul Izzah about the idea directly, and emphasised that it was up to her whether to pursue it.
This suggestion, coupled with Rafizi’s revelations, paints a picture of a broader, longer-term effort to position Nurul Izzah in Selangor.
In a separate political twist, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari later acknowledged that he had personally suggested Nurul Izzah could succeed him as Selangor MB — arguing it could provide her administrative experience and reduce possible accusations of nepotism at the federal level.
Amirudin even said he had spoken to Nurul Izzah about the idea directly, and emphasised that it was up to her whether to pursue it.
This suggestion, coupled with Rafizi’s revelations, paints a picture of a broader, longer-term effort to position Nurul Izzah in Selangor.
Anwar Publicly Denies Knowing Anything
When asked about Amirudin’s comments and the idea of Nurul Izzah being floated as a successor, Anwar dismissed it entirely as merely the MB’s personal view. He also said he was unaware of any intention by Amirudin to shift to federal politics.
“Nobody discussed it with me,” the prime minister told reporters after attending a dinner at the Sandton Hotel with the Malaysian diaspora in South Africa.
Pressed on Amirudin’s readiness to assume federal duties, Anwar replied: “When is the next (general) election? A long time more, so we’ll discuss this later.”
He insisted that no one had discussed the matter with him.
This denial now sits uncomfortably alongside Rafizi’s detailed description of a coordinated succession plan.
When asked about Amirudin’s comments and the idea of Nurul Izzah being floated as a successor, Anwar dismissed it entirely as merely the MB’s personal view. He also said he was unaware of any intention by Amirudin to shift to federal politics.
“Nobody discussed it with me,” the prime minister told reporters after attending a dinner at the Sandton Hotel with the Malaysian diaspora in South Africa.
Pressed on Amirudin’s readiness to assume federal duties, Anwar replied: “When is the next (general) election? A long time more, so we’ll discuss this later.”
He insisted that no one had discussed the matter with him.
This denial now sits uncomfortably alongside Rafizi’s detailed description of a coordinated succession plan.
A Window That Has Now Closed
Even though Zafrul eventually did join PKR, Rafizi stressed that the original plan is no longer feasible. Under state law:if a Selangor state seat becomes vacant within two years of the assembly’s expiry in September 2028, no by-election is required.
This means the opportunity to create a state seat for Nurul Izzah through a by-election has vanished — shutting down the most crucial step of the plan.
Even though Zafrul eventually did join PKR, Rafizi stressed that the original plan is no longer feasible. Under state law:if a Selangor state seat becomes vacant within two years of the assembly’s expiry in September 2028, no by-election is required.
This means the opportunity to create a state seat for Nurul Izzah through a by-election has vanished — shutting down the most crucial step of the plan.
What This Entire Saga Reveals About PKR
This episode uncovers deeper dynamics within PKR:
1. Leadership decisions occurring outside formal party structures
If the plan existed as described, major strategic moves were being devised privately, not through party consensus.
2. Internal factions willing to sabotage each other
The leak suggests deep mistrust and power struggles within PKR’s upper ranks.
3. Selangor as the strategic heart of PKR’s future
Control of Selangor is not just administrative — it is political capital.
4. The unavoidable shadow of political dynasties
Even if framed as meritocratic, any move involving Nurul Izzah will inevitably be scrutinised for signs of familial influence.
Conclusion: The Plan Is Dead — But the Political Fallout Is Just Beginning
The failed Zafrul–Nurul plan might have been buried in 2024, but its echoes will reverberate through PKR for years:
- It raises uncomfortable questions about decision-making under Anwar’s leadership.
- It intensifies speculation about Selangor’s political future.
- It reignites debates about dynastic politics in Malaysia.
And most importantly, it reveals a party fractured by suspicion, ambition, and competing visions for what comes after Anwar.
No comments:
Post a Comment