SHAH ALAM – Former PKR leader Tian Chua said Nurul Izzah Anwar must prove her independence in decision-making and act as a counterweight to her father, party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
This statement comes as PKR continues to face criticism over Nurul Izzah's appointment as its new vice president, viewed by some as an instance of nepotism.
Chua stressed that grassroots members remain doubtful of her ability to represent their views and challenge the president when necessary.
He urged her to work hard to improve performance and rebuild trust within the party.
"It is difficult to shake off the negative perception. However, for the time being, Anwar's family ties are confined to the party and not the government.
"In that aspect, it is manageable, with strong effort, including Nurul Izzah's own hard work to improve party performance by bringing in more talent and consolidating unity intergenerationally, among other efforts," he told Sinar Daily when contacted today.
Chua stated that while it is undeniable that the victory was largely due to the influence of having Anwar as her father and the central figure of PKR, Nurul Izzah carries a profound historical mark in bringing about the "rise of PKR" and helping her father reach the throne as PM.
"This means that her presence in the party is not necessarily supported solely by her father, but also because she invokes a sense of nostalgia for the early days of the reformasi struggle among voters.
"This element is not with Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (Economy Minister)," he said.
Chua added that party democracy should not be centralised in leadership but in its day-to-day functions of decision-making, such as policy direction and candidate selection.
"The current leadership must prove that they are not rubber stamps and show the ability to provide diversified viewpoints," Chua stressed.
The former Batu MP also pointed out that discussions about nepotism are only part of the conflicts that normally happen in a party election.
"Conflicts demoralise the grassroots, hence it is important, especially for PKR, which is already receiving heat for having the PM as party president, to mediate such conflict by urging Nurul Izzah, as deputy president, to provide a counterweight to balance the president's power and to convey grassroots views.
"This is currently the main doubt among ordinary members. It is up to Nurul Izzah to prove to them her independence in decision-making and courage to correct the president, if necessary," he said.
On Friday, the former Permatang Pauh MP officially took the No 2 spot in PKR, marking the first time in the party’s history that members of the same family hold both top positions.
While supporters have hailed this as a new era of stability and continuity, critics and observers alike cannot ignore the growing perception of nepotism.
Yet, the more immediate concern for PKR may not be the optics but the potential loss of political firepower with Rafizi’s exit from the leadership.