PETALING JAYA: The seemingly protracted internal bickering among PKR leaders is threatening party unity.
In the ongoing party elections, camps initiated by party leaders have become very apparent, raising concerns of the extent of damage to PKR.
Claims of party election irregularities such as blackouts in Batang Sadong, Sarawak, and also of vote tampering allegedly involving party number two Azmin Ali are serious.
Among other external controversies surrounding PKR is the water crisis in Selangor, possibly undermining the rakyat’s support for Pakatan Rakyat in the next general election.
With the puzzling uncertainties of what is really happening in the state government under the leadership of Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, many have raised doubts and worries whether Pakatan would be able to retain Selangor in GE14.
In an exclusive interview with theantdaily, PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin shared some of her opinions over matters concerning the party leadership and issues surrounding the water crisis in Selangor.
On Khalid’s handling of the water crisis in Selangor, Zuraida who is also Ampang MP, reiterated that Khalid should have first and foremost discussed the matter with knowledgeable MPs.
“Even Datuk Seri Anwar was not consulted on the decision and how to be prepared to face the rakyat’s grievances on the issue.
“Our stand was not to give up the water deal. When we did the U-Turn, there would have been a lot of questions. If he (Khalid) had discussed with knowledgeable MPs like Rafizi Ramli, things would have been different, but he made a unilateral decision.”
Khalid
A known Khalid critic, Zuraida said: “The MB is known for not keeping his promises. One day he would say one thing and another thing another day. I would have to monitor whether he keeps his word, as he had said there would be press conferences on the water issue every two days. Let’s wait and see.”
On Khalid bragging about his ability to govern the state due to his experience as a corporate figure, Zuraida said: “He was a man who came from government-linked companies (GLCs). If you look at his career background, he was really just a top government servant. I do not think he was a full corporate figure.”
In a turn of events on April 29, Khalid did not show up at a crucial press conference to address the water issue. However, on April 30, he announced that the water rationing in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya since February will be lifted on May 1 and that state water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Sybas) has been instructed to restore regular water supply.
Water issues have been a long and hard battle the state government has had to deal with especially after it refused to allow the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant since 2009.
Khalid had pretty much been blamed for insufficient treated water supply in the state today.
Zuraida, a known Azmin ally, also dismissed allegations of vote rigging by Azmin.
“The hotel room was a designated place to conduct the polling, so once it was over at 5pm, the officers stopped the voting process. I think these were groups who were not happy with the results and decided to come up with such allegations.
“I saw the pictures, but I just saw a few guys and the ballot papers,” said Zuraida.
“The matter is now being investigated by the party,” she said, adding it was uncalled for and the person responsible for making the “wild allegations” should be disciplined.
“How could they relate it to Azmin when he was not even there?” she asked.
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin claimed that he had photo and video evidence of vote tampering allegedly involving Azmin who is also Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
On reports that Azmin, who is also Gombak MP, was transforming from an Anwar loyalist to a PKR leader in his own right, Zuraida said: “Azmin has been with PKR for a long time. I do not think he is an Anwar loyalist.
“He has a good track record but some people are not happy with that. Allegations that he is Anwar’s blue-eyed boy are not true. We must not forget his role as the deputy president of PKR and Selangor PKR chairman, yet he has not been made Selangor MB. By rank, he should already be the MB,” Zuraida said.
On speculations that Azmin would be removed from PKR, especially since Khalid and party secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution are challenging him for the deputy presidency, Zuraida said Azmin as a party loyalist did not demand to be the MB.
“If he asks for the MB’s post, people will say he is going against PKR. To say he wants to stay out, people will attack him saying that he is not loyal towards Anwar. But if he keeps quiet, he would also be accused. Nothing seems right to his detractors.
“We all know what the Kajang move was about. It was to remove Khalid and replace him with Anwar. Everyone in the party wants Khalid to go, but somehow luck is on his side and he is still MB.”
Zuraida pointed out that not even once did Azmin gun for the post. “He was more concerned with the party’s future.”
Asked if Azmin would return to Umno, as there are so many groups trying to deter him from advancing in the party, Zuraida said: “I don’t think he will do that. If he wanted to, he would have left a long time ago. Or he would have left the party to continue his studies.
“He did not want to do so, because he said, don’t worry, let Umno leaders talk about us, I will continue the struggle.”
So, will Selangor fall back to BN with the continuous leadership strife? Zuraida said: “I don’t think so. There are four years for the party to make improvements and by then, she was hopeful that Selangorians would have forgiven the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
Source: The Ant Daily
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