PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali said he did not need to kiss the boss’ hand to show his loyalty, nor did he need to lean on others to get support.

He said this when addressing hundreds of PKR members from the northern states at a gathering in Seberang Jaya, Penang, last night.

Azmin is campaigning to defend his party deputy presidency, and perhaps his reputation, which has taken a beating in recent weeks due to the efforts of his rival for the post, Rafizi Ramli and his supporters.

Rafizi’s campaign has been centred on ensuring that Anwar Ibrahim became the next prime minister, implying that Azmin’s loyalty lay elsewhere.

“There were whispers telling me to prove my loyalty to Anwar. But I don’t have to kiss hands to show my loyalty,” said Azmin, who was aide to Anwar when he was a minister in the Barisan Nasional cabinet.

“There are some hand kissers who have just appeared. They thump their chests and call themselves reformists.

“They want to fight but they have no strengths of their own and are forced to lean on others to get the support of party members,” he said.

These were the people who should prove their allegiance, but instead they were looking to find fault in others, said Azmin, who is the Economic Affairs Minister.

He said some had fled to Australia, Indonesia and the UK when the going got tough during the early Reformasi days in the late-1990s.

Supporters of Anwar and his reform movement, including Azmin, had found themselves beaten, fired at with tear gas and water cannon, and even thrown into the lockups for demonstrating in the streets. 

“Two years after that, when things had settled, they came back and declared themselves reformists. You can’t do that,” Azmin said.

He said a true reformist also did not hijack a reform agenda nor were they proud or arrogant.

“Saying ‘I am great, I am smart, I am clever’ is not reform. Leaders must have not only good minds, but also humility and respect for others and their views.”

Azmin mentioned no names in his nearly one-hour speech but it was clear that most of his words were directed at Rafizi and those aligned to him, who had been attacking him in their campaigns.

Azmin said reform was a marathon that had no shortcuts, and many older reformist leaders had worked very hard, without giving up after losing many times, to get PKR to where it was today.

“We welcome those who have just joined PKR but don’t forget the contributions of the old leaders and members. It is because of the reformists that we are where we are today.”

The former Selangor menteri besar said the PKR reform struggle had changed from the time when the party was the opposition.

“Reformasi 2.0 today no longer requires us to take to the streets,” he said, pointing out that PKR now has state excos and cabinet minister who are in position to implement policies and introduce reforms.

“Just three months ago, for the first time in history, the people rejected racial and narrow politics and gave support to PH and PKR. 

“The people has given us the mandate for us to do the job. If we fight among ourselves now, we are betraying the people’s trust.”

Azmin also said PKR should close ranks and stay away from lies and slander in the party polls. 

“Previously, the former PH opposition states Selangor and Penang were presented as success stories to convince Malaysians to give PH a chance, but now I am accused of being disloyal or not loyal enough.

“I understand that we are campaigning but let’s not make up lies. I am here to work (to show Malaysians that PH and PKR can govern the country well).”

Later in a press conference, Azmin rubbished talk that he would quit PKR if he lost in the party election.

“How do I respond to a rumour? We should not be influenced by this sort of stories,” he said, adding that PKR members were wise and mature enough to know which leaders were tried and tested.

“We started as a people’s movement that faced adverse difficulties. Party members see me as one of the many leaders who have been with them in the struggle for change. 

“How can I leave the struggle now that we have won the election (and changed the federal government)? It is a baseless accusation.” –  September 14, 2018.