PKR Leaders, Stop 'Incessant Attacks' on Zaid

SHAH ALAM 1 October - PKR leaders have been urged today to stop the "incessant attacks" on deputy presidential contender Zaid Ibrahim.

Said party vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan: "I read PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye's statement yesterday and feel that the timing of the statement was unfortunate, especially with the crucial final round of divisional elections this weekend."

Jeffrey said in a statement that Zaid was not "playing victim" as suggested by Lee. Rather, Zaid's various press interviews "contain his hopes for the party and nothing else".

"I think all party leaders should welcome any concrete suggestions made by anyone to improve the party. Some of Zaid's suggestions can help us achieve our aims for the people," he said.

He added that PKR needed more "reform-minded” and “open-minded" leaders so that the party could move forward.

Meanwhile, Padang Serai MP and supreme council member N Gobalakrishnan said it was clear that Zaid was being "continuously marginalised" in the party.

"The various incidents during PKR divisional elections around the country in the past two weeks showed that the 'anti-Zaid' sentiment is being stirred by someone high up in the party," he said.

Gobalakrishnan said judging by the various statements of leaders, including Anwar Ibrahim's "Trojan horse" claim, "these people are all in one group – the group which wants Azmin Ali to defeat Zaid for the deputy's post."

"Am I wrong in making this assumption? Based on what's happening in the party, I don't think so. I am starting to believe the stories about the Azmin cartel now."

He said Lee was not the first party leader to issue "anti-Zaid" statements, adding that communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also attacked Zaid instead of being neutral.

"Then we had deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali joining the fray. Later, others too – vice-president R Sivarasa, Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and party strategist Tian Chua – continued with the attacks."

Gobalakrishnan hoped PKR would remain free and independent and that it would be a "sad day" if the party forgot its aims and principles, "all to ensure Azmin is given a free ride to the top post".

"I hope not to see that day," he said.

PKR supreme council member S Manikavasagam urged senior party leaders to "retain a neutral ground" and stop making damaging statements against other contenders, including Zaid Ibrahim.

"I am very disturbed by the recent events in the party –  right from the ruckus and voting manipulations at the divisional elections to the recent statement issued by party vice-presdient Dr Lee Boon Chye against FT chief Zaid Ibrahim," the Kapar MP said in a media statement.

Manikavasagam said Lee must realise that he was also contesting for a top post and should not be seen as trying to campaign to win votes by undermining others.

He added that although he had expected some teethering problems with the new direct elections, he was saddened by the fact that the election process has been "hijacked by certain people".

"I feel the party and its office bearers have failed to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy in holding a free and fair elections," he said.

"I hope the party can put its house in order for the coming divisional elections this weekend so that our party does not become the laughing stock in the country.

“We should not be criticising the Election Commission over how it conducts elections in this country when we ourselves can't do a good job," he said.