Malaysia needs politicians whose principles are not for sale and Nurul Izzah Anwar is one such leader, according to Johor PKR chief Hassan Abdul Karim.

Therefore, he urged the Permatang Pauh MP to reconsider her decision not to contest in the next general election.

“A multiracial, multireligious and multicultural country like Malaysia needs leaders with a vision, a reformist mindset, integrity and principles like Nurul Izzah.

“I consider Nurul Izzah an asset to Malaysia,” he added in a statement yesterday.

Furthermore, Hassan said Nurul Izzah is in her third term as an MP and possesses wide experience regarding Parliament.

“She has also been the PKR vice-president for two terms. Her vast experience makes her a good leader,” he added.

In a recent interview with Singapore's Straits Times, Nurul Izzah expressed disappointment with the slow pace of reforms under the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“I said this is my final term (as MP). That is my plan now,” she said.

Nurul Izzah was thrust into politics at the age of 18 after Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was then premier, sacked her father Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 on the grounds of sexual misconduct.

Anwar has always maintained that the charge against him was fabricated by Mahathir.

Together with her mother Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Nurul Izzah became one of the prominent figures of Reformasi, and was dubbed the movement's “princess” then.

Nurul Izzah also told the Straits Times that it was difficult to work with Mahathir in the last general election given their acrimonious past.

She described Mahathir as a “former dictator who wreaked so much damage on her family and the system.”