Resignations ‘half-expected’

(NST) BUKIT MERTAJAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat Lunas assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh's decision to quit and become an independent is no surprise to the party, PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday.

Anwar said Radzhi had been riddled with disciplinary problems and was also under investigation for making excessive claims.

"Even Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak warned him to control his expenditure."

Asked why PKR faced problems with its assemblymen, Anwar admitted that the party had shortcomings in its vetting process for last year's general election.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says PKR doesn’t treat its members equally.

"We definitely have to improve and ensure our candidates are thoroughly vetted in future elections.

"Before the March 8 elections, we were rushing and evidently there were flaws in our selection process."

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said PKR's policies had never been consistent and the party also failed to give equal treatment to its members.

Asked to comment on allegations Barisan Nasional and Umno caused the resignations, Hishmmuddin said: "Tell me who was the person who talked about this issue of jumping parties. Who was is that gave a deadline that the Federal Government would fall. This is all their political games."

Hishammuddin said it was best Radzhi himself explain why he quit.

In Kuala Lumpur, PKR information chief Tian Chua said the party "half-expected" the move by Radzhi.

He claimed that the first-term Lunas assemblyman was being queried by the party for under-performing as an elected representative and as an exco member. He said PKR had also issued Radzhi a show-cause letter.

Chua also confirmed Padang Serai PKR acting division chief Jamaluddin Abu Hassan's resignation but doubted its 200 members quit en masse.

 

Tian Chua says PKR issued a show-cause letter to Radzhi Mohd Salleh.