Rumors of coup to overthrow Wan Azizah emerge as Selangor MB supporters call for emergency PKR meeting
(Malaysian Digest) – Signs of a rift have emerged in PKR as supporters of Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) Azmin Ali have officially requested for an emergency meeting this Sunday, 11 October.
Over 20 members of the Supreme Council had reportedly signed the requisition dated Sept 22 for an emergency meeting, as provided in Article 22.1(c) of the party constitution which allows for an emergency supreme council meeting if one-third of its members request for one.
Writing in his blog over the weekend, Chegubard or Badrul Hisham Shahrin alleges that a “coup de’etat” is in the works by the Selangor MB’s supporters to oust Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah as PKR president.
“This is a coup de’etat and a no-confidence motion plot hatched by Azmin’s supporters since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was imprisoned.
“Imagine if the Supreme Council were to make a ‘u-turn’ in its stance in Pakatan Harapan – how would Wan Azizah explain the sudden reversal without losing credibility?
“She had called for the press conference and made the announcement. If it emerges that her own PKR party members are not in agreement, how would it look? This is clearly an attempt by Azmin’s camp to move a no-confidence vote against Wan Azizah.”
He advised the members of the supreme council and central committee to vote to keep the original resolution on PKR’s involvement in Pakatan Harapan.
“Don’t let down people’s hope and disgrace your own party president. Other internal issues can be discussed in a civilized manner.
“Najib and his camp will have a field day if instead of a no-confidence motion by UMNO against Najib, we are the party thrown into crisis by a no-confidence vote.
“To all PKR division members, please let your view be heard by the Supreme Council so that they decide wisely,” he warned.
Cbegubard had posted the petition to his blog accompanied by the list of names of the signatories.
The list of signatories to the petition as published on the blog included 25 names which are Tian Chua, Prof Dr Shaharuddin, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Elizabeth Wong, Latheefa Koya, Hee Loy Sian, Shuhaimi Shafei, Azmizam, Haniza Mohd Talha, Yunus Jamaari, Yaakob Sapari, Siti Aishah, S.Manikavasagam, Zakaria Abdul Hamid, Roland Chia, Khalid Jaafar, Afif Bahardin, Mansor Othman, Ab Aziz Ab Kadi, Dr Md Nur Manuty, Hasam Karim, Mohammad Faisol Rahman, Tengku Maraziyah, N.Surendran and Amirudin Shari.
Chegubard, who heads Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) a pro PKR NGO was suspended by PKR for going public with allegations of irregularities during the recent party polls but he is still a PKR member.
The blogger also questioned Azmin’s loyalty to the party alleging that the Gombak MP had been behind an attack against Anwar and his family after GE13 in 2013 when he wasn’t given the Selangor MB post.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had also publicly stated on Saturday that PKR could face a splinter like PAS over its hasty decision on the new opposition coalition.
“This was because Pakatan Harapan was launched too hastily,” he said.
Tensions have surfaced in the PKR camp after Pakatan Harapan went public with its official announcement chaired by Wan Azizah which did not address PAS’s role in the new Opposition coalition as political observers were quick to note that the Selangor MB requires the support of the 14 PAS assemblymen in Selangor to stay in power in the State.
