Dr Halili quits PKR to join Umno

Written by Chan Kok Leong, The Edge 

Before the dust has settled on the resignation of former Kedah Exco and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) assemblyman for Bakar Arang Tan Wei Shu or two of its Angkatan Muda Keadilan leaders, PKR lost another leader on Monday, April 19.

PKR Hulu Selangor treasurer Dr Halili Rahmat announced his decision to quit the party and join Umno at a press conference earlier.

Together with the neurosurgeon was former PKR secretary-general Datuk Salahuddin Hashim.

“I’ve decided to quit PKR as the party has diverted from its original struggles, when we founded the party in 1999,” said Dr Halili.

“PKR today is controlled by a small group of people who are narrow-minded and leftist. This is against most Malays and the general public.

“The party no longer values its original struggles and is more concerned with power-grabbing,” he added.

The Ulu Yam native said he was more impressed with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno which is led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said that he was aware that there will be accusations that he is quitting the party because he was disappointed that he was not picked to contest in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

“But I’ve never offered nor asked to be selected for this by-election,” said Dr Halili.

“Although, I’ve contested under the PKR ticket in the 1999 and 2004 general elections, I was reluctant this time as the mood of the people has changed.

“I’m making the announcement today as I do not want my name to be used by PKR to fish for votes,” he explained.

In the run-up to the nomination, Dr Halili was favoured to replaced former Hulu Selangor MP Datuk Dr Zainal Ahmad who died last month.

The Ulu Yam native is the third PKR leader to quit the party following the selection of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for the by-election which will be held Sunday.

PKR Youth Shah Alam branch chief Nor’isham Manap and his deputy Muhamad Ali Mukhtar quit the party on Sunday citing a loss of confidence in the party following Zaid’s selection.

“As a true son of Hulu Selangor, I find it impossible to defend PKR’s credibility as PKR has not helped the people here over the two years.”

He further alleged that the party did not aid former MP Datuk Dr Zainal Ahmad service the constituency despite knowing that the latter was suffering from a brain tumour.

“PKR is only interested in fishing for votes during by-elections but ignores the welfare of the people and its own election promises.

“This should not happen and I’m told by the voters in Hulu Selangor that they will not let it happen again.

“I hope my friends and relatives of Hulu Selangor understands that my struggles are for reform and not for the defence of one individual,” said the private physician about PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to Dr Halili, he has treated Anwar since his back injury in 1994 and known him since their school days in Kuala Kangsar Malay College (MCKK).

When asked, the former Hulu Selangor candidate said he is unlikely to campaign for BN during this by-election as he has family commitments.

“My son is due to receive his graduate degree in law in Monash University, Melbourne on Thursday and I plan to be with him,” he explained.

He also declined to comment on BN’s candidate for the by-election P Kamalanathan of MIC.

According to Dr Halili, the decision to quit was “long time coming” and he was only present with the party until the naming of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as he thought he may be picked.

He also declined to answer when asked if he was “offered” incentives to quit PKR and join Umno.

“Although I cannot do anything about the allegations, my conscious is clear and I can hope that people respect my decision to quit the party.”