Nurul: Internal Feud is Normal

KAJANG: PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar welcomed senior DAP leader Lim Kit Siang’s concern that internal feuds can damage PKR and Pakatan Rakyat.

She however added that the rivalry within PKR and Pakatan is a norm in the dynamics of politics within a party.

“I welcome it positively. It is a good advice.  A house divided is problematic to ensure a win. It is, however, also part of the dynamics of politics in a party.

“There would be contests but it must not affect our work and service on the ground,” said Nurul Izzah who leads PKR’s polling district machinery in Taman Mesra for the Kajang by-election.

She spoke to FMT during a hi-tea session with the party’s women wing members and party workers.
Yesterday, Lim warned that internal feuds within PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, if left unchecked, can cause a major problem for Anwar Ibrahim in the Kajang state seat by-election on March 23.

“In the Kajang by-election, we can only suffer defeats and setbacks of our own making,” he said in a statement.

“At stake in the Kajang by-election is not just Anwar’s personal political future, but the future of Pakatan Rakyat, three million Selangorians and 30 million Malaysians,” he added.

Lim said that the harsh reality was that a defeat in the Kajang by-election – in failing to achieve a resounding and historic victory – cannot be ruled out.

Nurul who is also Lembah Pantai MP added that the PKR is doing its level best to overcome the issue at hand.

When asked on Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s announcement to contest for PKR deputy presidency against incumbent Azmin Ali, she echoed party president Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim’s sentiments that it was a democratic process.

“I hope the members can choose the most deserving leaders. The focus however must be on this by-election,” she said.

Nurul’s father who is also PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is contesting in the Kajang by-election.

MCA decided to field its vice president, Chew Mei Fun. The New Gen Party is expected to name its candidate next week.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim and dangdut singer Herman Tino is expected to contest the seat as well.

The Kajang state seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent assemblymen Lee Chin Cheh of PKR on Jan 27. The Election Commission fixed March 23 as polling date and nomination day on March 11. Early polling would be held on March 19.

The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. At the last general election in May, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.

Kajang, famous for its satay, is located in the eastern part of Selangor is one of the three state constituency in the Hulu Langat parliament constituency. It has a 342,657 population, consisting 60.4% Malays, 19.3% Chinese, 9.7% Indians, and 10.6% other ethnic groups.

By K Pragalath of FMT

PKR Limbo Rocks

How low can PKR get in its feeble attempt to make right the Selangor plot that went awry? In a limbo rock move, PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today that he would contest the coming Kajang following a collective decision made by Pakatan to ensure a strong victory. When in Malaysia has there ever been a sudden resignation by an assemblyman who states he was stepping down for the common good of Pakatan followed by an announcement of the candidate for the by-election the next day? Never. Dodgy? You bet!

PR and PKR supporters who cannot see through subtly orchestrated shadow play drama that began with the sudden resignation of Kajang assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh are living in denial or selective blindness. The whole scenario smacks of manipulation of voters’ choice in the GE to suit PKR’s game plan in a last-ditch desperate effort to restore normalcy in turbulent PKR.

At a time when Pakatan Rakyat is stirring Malaysians to protest against rising prices, removal of subsidies via Turun protests and other avenues, we see a situation where there will be massive wastage of public funds simply because PKR is allegedly unhappy with MB Khalid in:

· ending Azmin’s term as member of the board of the Selangor Development Corporation.

· the JAIS seizure of bibles

· the row over non-Muslim’s use of the term “Allah”

· the huge pay hike for Selangor elected representatives etc.



For all the reasons mentioned above, surely just a plain uncomplicated resignation by MB Khalid due to personal/medical reasons should suffice instead resorting to a forced resignation and then unnecessary expenditure for a by-election. It is definitely not only unjustified and untimely but smacks of the trademark double standards practiced by Anwar, PKR, and Pakatan Rakyat. When it suits them, it is okay to have a by-election or to use public funds for their agenda but when it does no gel with their motives; they will go on a targeted missile attack to raise public awareness of what is wrong. This time, Anwar and his motley crew have blundered big time for Malaysians are not as ignorant or stupid as they think.

Clearly, Anwar had no other choice but to make the rakyat pay for the shaky situation he faces in Selangor. If he does not offer himself as a candidate for MB, Khalid will not step aside for he would not want Azmin Ali to replace him. In addition, if Anwar is not the candidate, Azmin will want to stand for election. If that happens, Wan Azizah will be most unhappy and create a ruckus. Standing in middle ground, Anwar has no choice but to be the sacrificial lamb – at the rakyat’s expense, especially Kajang voters.

Besides, the current brouhaha over Nurul Izzah’s marital state is likely to have weakened support for PKR and PR so Anwar had to throw in a red herring and control a state that is gradually slipping out of the grips of Pakatan Rakyat.

Who suffers? Who pays? Who gains? That is the PKR Limbo-Rock antidote for Selangor!Fair? Justified?


You judge for yourself!