Anwar: Yes, flaws in PKR system

Written by Regina William, The Edge  

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Anwar Ibrahim conceded flaws in the vetting system of the party during the March 8, 2008 general election which has resulted in problematic state assemblymen and MPs for the party.

Commenting of the resignation of PKR's Lunas state assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh, Anwar said the party has rushed through the names without filtering the list thoroughly. "In all humility, I concede that we have to improve and ensure that our candidates in future are of good and impeccable quality and loyal to the party's struggles," Anwar said at Kampung Paya here.

Anwar said the party had even warned Mohd Radzhi last month over an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and also personal problems with his fourth wife who was taking court action against him. "After he was 'courted' by the MACC, we also found out that former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mahadzir Khalid was talking to him and Mohd Radzhi had also tried to influence other PKR state assemblymen to cross over to Umno. We even suspended the Padang Serai PKR division because of him," Anwar said.

He said Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak would seek an audience with the Kedah Sultan to drop him from the exco line-up. Anwar said it would be advisable for Mohd Radzhi to resign as a state assemblyman.

He also said if Permatang Pasir by-election PAS candidate for Mohd Salleh Man wins, he would be nominated to head the Penang Islamic Religious Council, adding that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng agreed to seek the King's consent on the appointment.

The post is currently helmed by Umno's Permatang Berangan state assemblyman Shahbudin Yahya, whose term ends in December.