MCLM snaps back over PKR’s ‘toe the line’ directive

(The Star) – PKR deputy president Azmin Ali’s call to independent parties to toe the line if they want to contest under the PKR banner seems to have hit a raw nerve.

Alluding to the controversial PKR elections in November last year, Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim shot back sarcastically – asking if toeing the line would also mean “cheating” in party elections.

“If so, then thanks but no thanks because our movement does not subscribe to cheating,” he said in response to Azmin’s statement that PKR would only consider candidates from non-Pakatan Rakyat groups if they subscribe to the coalition’s policies.

Azmin had said they were open to candidates from MCLM and were even planning to give more seats to Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) if they were willing to abide by Pakatan policies.

Haris said they were willing to work with any party that was pro-rakyat and pro-reforms.

“So far, we have ruled out working with Barisan Nasional because it is not pro-reforms,” he said.

Later, at a press conference, Haris announced that Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and MCLM had formed an alliance.

Haris also said the movement would work with all other parties to ensure the next Federal Government honours agreements made with Sabah and Sarawak prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963.

Also present were SNAP secretary-general Stanley Jugol and newly-formed United Borneo Front chief Datuk Dr Jefrrey Kitingan.