GEORGE TOWN: PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar says her reappointment as Penang PKR chief will enable her to continue the mission to further strengthen and invigorate members towards better community engagement and outreach.
Nurul Izzah, who is the daughter of PKR president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said as leaders entrusted to spearhead Penang, she and Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who was appointed Penang PKR deputy chief, accepted this responsibility with much humility and appreciation.
"Dr Mohamad and I also extend our deepest appreciation for the commitment and resolve showcased by Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, the former deputy chief, who continues to carry many responsibilities at the federal level.
"Together, we will plan further steps to strengthen PKR's presence and renew zeal to initiate meaningful reforms,improving the lives of communities both in Seberang Prai and the island," they said in a joint statement.
Both Nurul Izzah and Dr Mohamad said among their main focus included institutional reform agenda that promotes good governance in administration.
They said efforts would also be taken in building a more cohesive and united ecosystem across communities and Penangites - from different stripes and backgrounds.
"To this end, we are doing our best to prevent disinformation and extremism by reaching out to communities through our local infrastructure (JPKK), network of mosques and suraus, along with internal party (both PKR and Pakatan Harapan) information channels.
"We will also work hard to strengthen the confidence and trust of people, especially in Penang, by enhancing the social economics and finance ecosystems and integrating the education and economics activities with the digital and STEM education landscapes in order to achieve the Penang 2030 vision, as outlined by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow," they said.
Nurul Izzah and Dr Mohamad also said that focus would be given on promoting the Unity Government at the state level by working closely with government agencies, Village Community Management Councils (JPKK) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
"We invite Penangites to join us in this collective mission," they added.
The New Straits Times reported yesterday that Nurul Izzah has been appointed to lead Penang PKR as part of the party's restructuring exercise involving several states.
Prior to the 15th General Election, she was appointed to lead three northern states — Penang, Kedah and Perlis.
In GE15, she contested the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, but failed to retain her family's and the party's stronghold.
According to PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the appointment of state PKR chiefs was decided during a PKR leadership council meeting on Sunday.
The restructuring took into account all views to ensure PKR continues to remain strong in supporting the reform agenda under Anwar.
The restructuring exercise also involved Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.