Nurul Izzah Anwar requested to step down as PKR deputy president to focus on her further studies, but the PKR Central Leadership Council rejected her resignation and instead granted her temporary leave during a meeting held August 7-8, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. PKR Information Chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said, "She had requested some time to take care of herself and continue her studies, as she said herself. The council agreed to grant her leave, while vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will assume the deputy president's duties during her temporary absence" [1].
Nurul Izzah remains a PKR member and continues to support the party despite stepping down from the deputy president post [1, 2, 4]. PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said her decision will not affect PKR’s preparations for the upcoming Melaka state election and added, "The youth wing will however continue going to the grassroots to provide further clarification to members" [5]. PKR views the main challenges in the Melaka election as issues like rising cost of living, pricing, and infrastructure, rather than Nurul Izzah’s temporary leave [5].
The party’s decision came amid ongoing concerns over the allocation of MyKhas funds — special constituency development funds managed by the Prime Minister’s office intended to benefit residents and voters directly, not MPs personally [6, 7, 8]. Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized, "MyKhas is used for the people, residents and voters in the parliamentary constituency. I can never use it for myself" [6]. He added, "The special allocation is the Prime Minister’s allocation, so it’s up to him how to channel it. What’s important is that the money goes straight to the people and not the MP" [8].
Recently, several PKR MPs, including Rodziah Ismail, Wong Chen, and Lee Chean Chung had their access to the MyKhas portal suspended, raising questions about fairness in fund distribution [6, 9, 8]. On August 6, Lee Chean Chung claimed that MyKhas public funds were being channeled through the PKR Petaling Jaya division chief after his access was suspended [6, 9]. Civil society groups Ideas and Bersih called for transparent and formula-based allocation of constituency funds to prevent political misuse. Ideas CEO Aira Azhari said, "Elected representatives should focus on their legislative, policymaking and check-and-balance role in holding the Executive to account. Welfare aid and minor local projects should instead be administered objectively by government agencies" [9].
The Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department manages assistance distribution, including in states led by the opposition [6, 7, 8]. The next step in PKR’s schedule is continuing preparations for the Melaka state election with vice-president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail acting as deputy president during Nurul Izzah’s absence.
