ZURAIDA Kamaruddin has questioned PKR’s decision to have the Port Dickson seat vacated for president-elect Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election.

The outgoing Wanita chief wants Anwar to state whether the party leadership reached a consensus on the matter.

“All decisions by the party have to be made through consultation, to get the support of all members. There must also be consensus, in keeping with the spirit of reform and democracy.

“I fear that if the decision-making process is not open, transparent and democratic, there will be confusion among the people. PKR will be seen as being manipulated by certain groups,” she said in a statement today.

She said PKR, which was founded by Anwar, must practise the highest degree of transparency and democracy.

Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP and housing and local government minister, said she hoped Anwar would declare his stand on the matter.

Danyal Balagopal Abdullah today quit as Port Dickson MP with immediate effect, paving the way for Anwar to contest the seat and return to Parliament.

He said he had conveyed his offer to vacate the seat to Anwar through PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli and secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“I had several meetings with Anwar, who obliged my request for him to contest in Port Dickson.”

Anwar’s return to Parliament is necessary if he is to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister in two years as planned.

Zuraida’s remarks come at a time when PKR is gearing up for its party polls, where the biggest battle will be between Rafizi and deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali for the No. 2 post.

Zuraida, who is gunning for a vice-president’s post, is said to be aligned with Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister. – September 12, 2018.