Why the secrecy surrounding PD move, asks Latheefa

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 12 Sep 2018 8:42PM · 8 Comments

PKR central leadership council member Latheefa Koya says the matter of Port Dickson was not discussed in the party’s political bureau or within its central committee. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 12, 2018.

ANWAR Ibrahim’s decision to contest the Port Dickson parliamentary seat through a forced by-election continues to ruffle feathers in PKR.

PKR central leadership council member Latheefa Koya took to Facebook to post a series of strong questions over the by-election move.

Without naming anyone, but evidently referring to the party’s incoming president Anwar, Latheefa asked why the decision to contest Port Dickson was made in secrecy.

She said the matter was not discussed in the party’s political bureau or within its central committee.

“Why did you decide without going through the party mechanisms – not through the biropol (political bureau), nor the central committee?

“Why did you plan secretively? Why didn’t you even inform your top leadership, and why did you let your boy run around… fighting with anyone in his way?” she asked, in what appeared to be a reference to party vice-president Rafizi Ramli.

She tagged her posting with “#janjiakupm”, implying that Anwar was game for anything as long as he became the prime minister.

“What reformasi are you talking about? What democracy are you talking about?,” asked Latheefa.

Earlier today, first-time MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah quit as Port Dickson’s elected representative 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 Rafizi 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.  

The press conference to announce the seat was held at PKR headquarters and was attended by Danyal, Rafizi, Saifuddin, Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul, and Wangsa Maju MP Tan Yee Kew.

Hours after the announcement, PKR’s outgoing Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin questioned the decision to have the Port Dickson seat vacated for Anwar.

She wanted 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.

Prior to today’s announcement, there had been murmurs of discontent in the party for the way Anwar’s seat selection was being hijacked by Rafizi and Saifuddin.

The objections have mainly come from leaders affiliated with deputy president Azmin Ali who faces a strong challenge for the post from Rafizi in the party polls. – September 12, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • In normal circumstances when a revere leader is going for battles lots of supporters will be rallying and providing words of encouragement and support. Looks like PKR is really in shithole !!!. Many captains and lieutenants are expressing their disapoinment and dissent. Anwar is in for a hard spell. Factional split is very imminent and PKR will be very diluted and weak. Will see unbelievable offering to opposition to join and build up the party by numbers. Umno vultures will have heydays in their choice of PPBM and PKR. The rakyat are f#$ked by the selfish game of politicians in their self serving causes. Anwar is no more the same Anwar as the obsession of being a PM holds no bound and limits for him. Just have got to be the PM !!!!............................ well if the shoes fit.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • I have lost all little respect I use to have for rafizi. He is rude and disrespectful. And if he represents anwar and the kind of politics anwar plays, then I don't want anwar as the next pm. We need to fix the country not be pulled into another few years of politics!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Lyn Y · Reply

  • Believe it or not... this will be the dawn of PKRs breakup

    Posted 5 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • Lawyer Latheefa is spot no in her views. What is wrong with Anwar... why is he doing things undemocratically? And his pit bull, Rafizi seems to be full of himself, disrespectful & arrogant.. previously he was a likeable person but now I am beginning to dislike him.

    Posted 5 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • Why is she making noise just because she and Surendran are firmly in Azmin's camp? Their plan is to keep Anwar waiting until Mahathir steps down or drops dead and then push for Azmin to be PM. That was not the PH consensus decision. As the party president Anwar can announce the decision to contest via a by-election even without consulting the central committee or the political bureau because this was the collective party decision in January 2018 when it was agreed that Mahathir would become the PH PM candidate in GE14. How many times must a decision be revisted?

    Posted 5 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • The difference between a politician who puts himself before his country, and a statesman who puts his country before himself cannot be clearer.
    Just compare Anwar and Mahathir. It's obvious who is unfit to lead this country.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • All the problems in PKR is due to the 'Brutus' in Azmin.......

    Posted 5 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

    • Can we also imply that all the problems in PKR are due to "Erdogan to be" in Anwar ?????????????????

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply