ONLY “disappointed” PKR members are accusing the party of abandoning its Reformasi ideals and becoming like Umno, said Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari as nominations for party polls begin today.

He said such accusations are nothing new, having been used by disgruntled members since PKR’s early days.

“These are the usual accusations. Every time someone is disappointed, this is what they will claim. Since 1999, I have been hearing the same thing, so I am not too concerned,” said the Sungai Tua rep, who has been active in the party since its formation in 1999.

“Those who are disappointed should be more creative in expressing their displeasure. Use another approach,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

While Amirudin did not mention names, his remarks come after deputy president hopeful Rafizi Ramli last week unveiled his teammates in the party polls.

Rafizi, the PKR vice-president, said they were contesting to save the party, which had lost its Reformasi principles and adopted a feudal culture in its politics.

His team is campaigning on the slogan “20 Years of Reformasi”, referring to the number of years since the party’s formation in the wake of the Reformasi movement that opposed the government of the day over the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim and his subsequent jailing.

Rafizi is challenging incumbent deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, who has not yet confirmed whether he will defend his post.

The economic affairs minister previously said he would make an announcement after the Sungai Kandis by-election, which was held yesterday.

The PKR elections will be conducted via electronic voting for 800,000 members, according to state, from September 14 to October 7.

Amirudin said PKR has always welcomed open competition.

He said history has shown that the party always emerged stronger after open contests.

“People were worried when Azmin was challenged by Zaid Ibrahim, and later, when he was challenged by Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“But in the end, we see that PKR is strong. It has the most seats in Parliament among the Pakatan Harapan parties.”

Azmin was challenged by Zaid for the deputy president’s post in the 2010 party polls. Azmin won, and Zaid left PKR after being a member for just over a year.

In 2014, Azmin was challenged by Khalid, the former Selangor menteri besar, and current party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He retained the post.

Amirudin said upholding PKR’s Reformasi principles is not about shouting the slogan repeatedly.

“Reformasi is about our actions, and in our policies. When people talk about ‘20 Years of Reformasi’ and such, we have to see what their achievements are, that can be measured in terms of reforms.”

He said PKR’s focus after its polls should be to convince the public that the new government, which it is a part of, will enact policies that are based on good values, justice and fairness.

“We have proven that this kind of politics can be accepted, and that we don’t need racial politics and religious divisions.”

He added that PKR should focus on building the youth, a group that is the party’s core strength. – August 5, 2018.