Party tearing at the seams, Anwar tells PKR polls rivals

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned the trio vying for PKR’s deputy presidency that open spats are providing enemies with ammunition to split the party.

English daily The Star reported Anwar as saying that media outlets controlled by Umno, the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional, was capitalising on the intense rivalry between Azmin Ali, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Datuk Saifuddin Nasution.

“I am warning the three deputy president candidates. If not, this happens. They ruin the party. And for what? For unfulfilled lust (for power),” Anwar, who is PKR advisor, was quoted as saying to a protesting crowd outside the PKR headquarters in Merchant Square here on Tuesday night.

Anwar was also reported to have said that the three could face disciplinary action and that he would not defend any of them if the party decides to punish them.

According to the English daily, the group, numbering more than 60 people, had staged the protest to express dissatisfaction over alleged loopholes in the party’s electoral system, polls irregularities and selective persecution.

Yesterday PKR announced that additional branches will see new balloting over allegations of vote fraud and complaints of violence, with the party announcing today that 35 locations will undergo fresh polls.

Datuk Johari Abdul, head of the party’s election body, revealed that most of the affected branches are from Selangor and Sabah — two key states in the contest for the deputy presidency that in itself has also been tarnished by claims of corruption.

Azmin is currently leading the race for the coveted post amid continued claims of irregularities.