Nurul Izzah with her Lembah Pantai constituents. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 – PKR vice-president hopeful Nurul Izzah Anwar called on her party colleagues today to show they are for a democratic and transparent government by signing a pledge ahead of party polls.

“As a sign of our collective responsibility for the future of our party, I wish to propose that all candidates sign a ‘Keadilan Free and Fair Campaign Election Declaration’ publicly next week to promote and protect our common good and shared vision for a democratic Malaysia,” the 30-year-old said today, immediately after announcing she will contest the senior post.

Nurul Izzah is the eldest daughter of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

She is the fourth person to announce her candidacy for the vice-president post. The others are PKR elections director Fuziah Salleh, Penang PKR chief Dr Mansor Othman, and N. Gobalakrishnan who is Padang Serai MP.

Nurul Izzah meets PKR Gombak MP Azmin Ali. — Picture by Choo Choy MayThe first-term Lembah Pantai MP highlighted that it is never too late for the party elections to be conducted in a free and fair manner, equal to PKR’s demand for the ruling Barisan Nasional government to do the same.

She noted that PKR members and Malaysian voters would be judging the party through the candidates to see if they can uphold the democratic principles they are championing in the lead-up to the next general elections.

The 13th general elections is only due in 2013, but many believe Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, buoyed by a recovering economy, will call it within the next six months.

“It is a test of our integrity and credibility as a founding partner in Pakatan Rakyat to conduct ourselves in a transparent, responsible and accountable manner,” said Nurul Izzah.Nurul Izzah shares a laugh with Lembah Pantai constituents. — Picture by Choo Choy May

 ”So, let us rise to the occasion and not betray the hopes and expectation with the promise of a better Malaysia for all Malaysians,” she urged.

“Let us not be short-sighted, selfish and Machiavellian in our campaigning. Let us be ethical in our actions when seeking the legitimate and moral leadership mandate from our members,” she added.