PKR official quits, citing alleged nepotism, cronyism
SHAH ALAM: Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman has resigned from his post with immediate effect, claiming that “democracy is dead” in the party’s state chapter, and the situation is worsening with PKR’s alleged practice of nepotism and cronyism.
He attributed his dissatisfaction to the political appointments in Selangor, which he described as “clearly biased”, and urged PKR’s top leadership to intervene.
“PKR should be bringing forth the struggles of Reformasi. However, there are certain PKR leaders in Selangor who are ruining the party with cronyism and nepotism. I call out the attitude of some Selangor PKR leaders, who have handed out of political appointments as a way to maintain their influence and power.
“It is clear that the political appointments are given to those who show loyalty to certain groups, and not through merit.
“The vital criteria when choosing a local councillor, for example, should be qualification, capability, experience and contribution to the party’s struggle.
“However, the opposite is happening. The hierarchy of the party is no longer respected. There are those who have worked hard and officially proposed (for promotion) by branches, but (were) sidelined.
“Cronyism is severe in political appointments and only the followers of certain groups are awarded with ‘goodies’,” Syed Badli claimed.
In an immediate reaction, PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar said Syed Badli’s resignation was nothing more than politicking.
“Whether there is nepotism (or not), it is for the party to decide... the party is going through an election process. It (the allegation) is expected to come out (against) certain factions or groups,” he said.
“We know about this. But, in the long run, it’s just jockeying for position. I’m sure many party members are looking forward to stand in the party elections.”
Another vice-president, Tian Chua, said Syed Badli was a “small fry lacking in discipline”.
He said he was leaving it to the party’s Selangor chapter to deal with the matter.
“In the political appointments of local councillors, we have to accommodate the requests of all Pakatan Harapan party components. We have to divide the appointments to see to the needs of four parties (PKR, DAP, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Parti Amanah Negara). It is not just about PKR because we are a PH government.
“No doubt there will be differences of opinions because every party would have requests to have their own appointed. It is impossible for Syed Badli to not know the process when it comes to the appointment of local councillors,” Tian Chua told the New Straits Times Press.
He said Syed Badli’s dissatisfaction might have stemmed from the latter not being appointed as a local councillor.
“You cannot be complaining when you do not get (the post). You cannot then claim that there is no democracy in PKR and go to the media. He should not have done that. The list of local councillors was concluded based on consensus of all parties and it has always been that way.
“We have to accommodate everybody no matter how good you are. PH and Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin have promised to push for local council elections because it is the way to solve this issue in the future,” he said.