‘Warning is for people like Zulkifli’
By Izatun Shari, The Star
PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s warning to party members to leave and join Umno is aimed at people like Zulkifli Noordin, whose actions are not in line with party policies.
PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah said Anwar’s remark was also meant for party leaders who were squabbling publicly to be more disciplined and settle their disagreements internally.
“For instance, Zulkifli attempted to table several motions in Parliament which were not in line with party policies and without consulting party leadership,” he said.
Another vice-president, Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, viewed Anwar’s statement as a stern reminder to PKR leaders, especially those who were willing to cross over to Umno or other Barisan Nasional component parties.
“It might also be a way of reflecting the crisis we are facing now. The coming months are crucial to us since Barisan is mounting political attacks on PKR and Pakatan Rakyat.”
PKR strategic director Tian Chua said Anwar’s remark was a call to leaders and members to stop petty squabbles and uphold the party’s struggles for reforms, social justice and democracy.
“He (Anwar) is not asking people to quit simply but rather asking them to focus on real issues and stop being worked up or distracted by personal differences. We can tolerate differences as long as we uphold the party’s principles.”
On the relationship between the PKR and PAS reportedly being affected by their internal crises, both Sivarasa and Mustaffa Kamil denied that cooperation between the parties was deteriorating due to their problems.
Several elected representatives have quit the PKR out of dissatisfaction, including Port Klang state assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah.
“The PKR-PAS relationship is solid as ever,” said Sivarasa, adding that PAS asking its Selangor chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali to explain his controversies with Pakatan colleagues was clear message of its full commitment to Pakatan.
Mustaffa Kamil said the two parties, along with the DAP, would iron out arising issues during the Pakatan convention next month involving 1,500 delegates.
