KUALA LUMPUR — Outgoing PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad indicated he felt neither resentment nor frustration following the party’s recent internal elections, while reiterating continued dedication to progressive politics.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Nik Nazmi, who is Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, acknowledged his disappointment at the results but thanked supporters for their kind messages and his campaign team for their dedication.
“It would be unnatural for me to not be disappointed, but I feel no bitterness or anger,” he wrote.
Reflecting on his journey in PKR, Nik Nazmi said he had spent more than half his life in the party, beginning at the age of 19 when he chose to support its cause despite it being an unpopular decision at the time.
“Months after working at PNB, I decided to repay my UK scholarship and work full time for (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, while my colleagues were planning their careers in corporate Malaysia,” he said.
Nik Nazmi also shared several photographs chronicling key moments from his political journey, including two images showing him being arrested — a reminder of the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of the party’s ideals.
He recounted standing in for the Seri Setia state seat in 2008, becoming the youngest candidate at the time and part of the movement that helped end Barisan Nasional’s hold on Selangor.
He also recalled his involvement in major protest movements such as Black505 and KitaLawan, both of which saw him face court charges and time in the police lock-up.
“Five years later, we failed to gain a majority of Parliamentary seats despite having the popular vote. When Anwar and Rafizi Ramli asked me to book the stadium for the Black505 rally, I agreed without hesitation,” he said.
In 2018, Nik Nazmi won the then-Barisan Nasional stronghold of Setiawangsa and was part of the coalition that successfully campaigned for Pakatan Harapan to take over Putrajaya.
He stressed that his political drive has always been rooted in the belief that Malaysia can only reach its full potential through progressive politics.
“Achieving it was the new politics for our generation, one that was not rooted in narrow racial or religious views,” he said.
Calling the defeat a “bend in the road” rather than an end, Nik Nazmi expressed his continued commitment to serving the country.
“I have been fortunate to have been given the privilege to serve at a very young age. I have been blessed with the friendship of the many ordinary Malaysians who support the struggle,” he wrote.
“Whatever lies ahead, I remain committed to serving the nation with all my heart and soul. God is the best of planners.”
Nik Nazmi, who has served as a vice-president since 2022, was among eight candidates who failed to secure one of four contested party vice-president slots.
The victors were Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
Nik Nazmi also lost his bid to retain the Setiawangsa division chief post, falling to challenger and actor-director Datuk Afdlin Shauki, who garnered 631 votes to his 563. – May 26, 2025