Second Malaysian minister quits as fallout from ruling party polls continues

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s exit follows that of former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli

Malaysia’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad quit his post on Wednesday, the second minister to exit Anwar Ibrahim’s cabinet after a bitter internal election in his ruling party that voted in the prime minister’s daughter as his second-in-command.

Nik Nazmi’s exit follows firebrand leader Rafizi Ramli, who announced his exit from cabinet earlier Wednesday as Anwar’s administration risks falling apart from accusations of nepotism over the elevation of his daughter, Nurul Izzah, in the dominant People’s Justice Party (PKR).

Nurul Izzah, 44, won the race to be deputy president with 9,803 votes to replace incumbent Rafizi on Friday.

In a statement, Nik Nazmi said he realised that his position as minister was heavily dependent on his previous post as PKR vice-president.

“As I was unsuccessful in defending my post in the recent party election, I have made the decision to resign as minister,” he said.

More to follow …