Reformasi belongs to the people, not an individual or family, says Azmin


Mohd Farhan Darwis

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has reminded PKR members that the Reformasi movement belongs to the people and not to any individual or family. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 21, 2018.

MOHAMED Azmin Ali last night reminded PKR that the reforms the party had championed for in the last over 20 years do not belong to an individual or even to a particular family.

In hitting the campaign trail in Negri Sembilan to defend his deputy president’s post in the party polls, the economic affairs minister said reforms belong to the people.

Azmin, who is facing a challenge from vice-president Rafizi Ramli, said the political struggle in the party now is to realise “Reformasi 2.0” by delivering all the promises that had been made to the people.

Azmin recalled how he was arrested on September 16, 1998, four days before then deputy prime minister Anwar was also detained.

He told the 200 party members in Tampin how he was stripped naked, humiliated and “for eight days I was kicked, stomped on and beaten but I did not waver and continued to defend Anwar.”

In a swipe at Rafizi, he asked: “Where were those who are now beating their chests, boasting about their loyalty and contributions to the party?

Azmin said there are those “who were born just yesterday, been with the party for three to four years, and now claiming that because of them, PKR won the 14th general election”.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli is challenging Mohamed Azmin Ali for the deputy president's post in party elections. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 21, 2018.

He also said every PKR member must be thankful of the sacrifices made 20 years ago by those who gave birth to the reform movement, which had culminated in the party being part of the federal government today.

He said while they must be thankful, they should also be patient and persevere to succeed.

“Now we have entered ‘Reformasi 2.0’. Those who are uninformed of the reform movement also can speak about it.

“Those who had joined the party for a month, are claiming they are the ones who are loyal to Anwar while others are not,” said Azmin, who is also Gombak MP.

He urged members to evaluate carefully each candidate and vote only those who have been tested and have the capability to lead.

“Pick those who have been tested, not comedians and actors. Why? So the team at the top can look after the party well,” he said.

“It will be difficult if we follow our emotions. Now we have won (the general election), let’s buckle down and start working.”

Azmin said that in the first 10 years after the party was born, they took to the streets to demonstrate.

But now that they have won, ‘Reformasi 2.0’ is no longer about shouting slogans but delivering the hopes of the people and building a new Malaysia.

Incumbent PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali has warned party members against attacking internal rivals to cozy up to party leader Anwar Ibrahim as it will undermine the party and eventually cause its downfall. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 21, 2018.

Azmin also warned those who have been attacking him personally to cozy up to Anwar, adding that such attacks could undermine the party and cause its downfall.

“Do not allow them to destroy what we have built for over 20 years. Keep to the ethics of the party, no personal attacks which could mar the image of the party.

“Reject those who resort to these tactics in the party elections,” Azmin said.

Since the start of the campaign, Rafizi and his supporters have been accusing Azmin of being a puppet of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to derail Anwar’s ambition of becoming the next prime minister. – September 21, 2018.


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Comments


  • Well said AA.

    Posted 7 years ago by HI HI · Reply

  • On this I agree with Azmin. He deserves to remain as the deputy president.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • What is the RUSH Anuar If u are fated to become PM u will become But if otherwise .Look at TDM his KARMA he became MALAYSIA PM for the second time. DSAI must learn to treat all Malaysian Equally. There shld be NO RACE N RELIGION POLITICS. All are worried DSAI = UMNO n BN

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

  • Fully agree with u on this AA. Reformasi belongs to the RAKYAT not exclusively to 3+1.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ummu Hanin · Reply

  • Reformasi started bcos of the jailing and beating of AI. Where were u then? Being breastfed by your mummy? Nelson Mandela was jailed there was a worldwide uprising. Reformasi was 100% due to AI. Dont take the glory away from him or his family.

    Posted 7 years ago by Besaman Mucho · Reply

  • Agree with Azmin. When Anwar was jailed for years, it's Azmin and Azizah that stood up for the party in the difficulty years. Where are Rafizi, Sani, Johari and some of their gang then? Maybe playing marbles and flying kites.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • Azmin is grown up, Rafizi and his co are juveniles. We need grown up in the biggest party in ruling coalition, not juveniles who picked up fight everywhere they go.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Yih Ven · Reply

  • Betul betul betul Azmin. You have my

    Posted 7 years ago by It's me GR · Reply

  • support

    Posted 7 years ago by It's me GR · Reply

  • We love AA!

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • I dont fall for his words, he just like to say what we wanna hear. He is unreliable.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply