Friends of Pakatan Rakyat lives on without Zaid
A London-based informal network of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters is set to continue despite the resignation of the man who launched them, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim from PKR this December 16, the pact’s leaders said today.
Friends of Pakatan Rakyat (FoPR) in London which started on July 4 said it did not revolve around a single personality.
Thus far, no one else has followed Zaid’s footsteps out of the party.
“It (Zaid’s leaving) doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference,” DAP deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw told The Malaysian Insider today.
“There are others who are in contact with Friends,” he added, naming DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, PAS treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli, and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Dr Hatta claimed that PR leaders did not play a founding role in the movement but merely officiated its launch.
“We were there as leaders of Pakatan Rakyat to officiate. It’s not a Zaid project, or my project or Nurul Izzah (Anwar)’s project. It’s the supporters of Pakatan,” said Dr Hatta.
“So if anyone of us leaves, too bad. But the thing must go on. It should not be affected by anyone leaving,” added the Kuala Krai MP.
Dr Hatta, Dr Tan, Nurul Izzah and Zaid were present at the FoPR launch in London on July 4 where maverick blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin gave a speech before over 200 people.
Nurul Izzah echoed Dr Hatta’s views and said that the FoPR would continue despite Zaid’s absence.
“Even though we may be devoid of the original leader (Zaid), the Friends of Pakatan Rakyat will still continue,” said the Lembah Pantai MP.
“The Friends of Pakatan Rakyat has been emailing us their updates from time to time,” she added.
Nurul Izzah also noted that a meeting between FoPR and Anwar has been scheduled for January next year.
“I believe that they (FoPR) remain consistent and are quite committed to the cause, but a proper meeting will be held between the representative and the Opposition Leader in January,” said Anwar’s eldest daughter.
