PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali today said that it was normal for leaders to be absent from party meetings if they had government duties to attend to, reports Malaysiakini.

The economic affairs minister said he attends party events if he does not have any prior engagements.

“If I (require leave), I will inform (the party). This is a normal process. Why am I targeted?”

Azmin was responding to queries on why he had skipped the PKR leadership council meeting yesterday.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil had said that the party had repeatedly reminded leaders to attend meetings.

He said the reminder was issued by secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail after a central leadership committee meeting, where those absent included members from Azmin’s camp.

“Notices for meetings of the central leadership committee and the political bureau are issued early. Leaders are reminded to attend so all of them can be in line with party decisions and policies,” he said.

Azmin, however, did not specify what government duties prevented him from attending the meeting yesterday.

“I had duties. We as government leaders have a responsibility to the government and the party.

“We need to carry out our mandate together. Sometimes, there are government duties that we need to perform. That is our responsibility,” he said.

Besides Azmin, among those absent were vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin and Women’s wing chief Haniza Talha.

Also absent was Selangor PKR chairman Amirudin Shari, who was reportedly on his way to the meeting when it ended early. – July 29, 2019.