Selangor PKR not in tune with partners

Party left out of state’s Pakatan chiefs’ declaration

KLANG: Selangor PKR is not on the same page as its three Pakatan Harapan counterparts in the state over the Opposition Front’s national level joint declaration made at its convention last Sunday.

This became apparent when a statement issued in support of the joint declaration was signed only by Selangor’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) chiefs.

The fact that PKR was left out in the joint statement has raised questions as well as the hint that all may not be well in Selangor Pakatan.

When contacted, Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said they were not consulted or contacted about the joint statement by the three other parties’ state level leaders.

“We were not approached and I guess they did not contact anyone in Selangor PKR,” she said.

Meanwhile, state Amanah chairman Izham Hashim said the joint statement was only meant to be signed by his party, DAP and Bersatu.

“We issued it after Selangor PKR issued its statement disagreeing with some points of the joint declaration made at the convention,’’ said Izham.

(PKR Selangor communication bureau head Hizwan Ahmad had issued a statement disagreeing with the selection of Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as prime minister and deputy prime minister designates, if Pakatan wins the upcoming polls and forms the government.)

Izham said Amanah, DAP and Bersatu had issued the statement reaffirming their support for the joint declaration so the national

We were not approached and I guess they did not contact anyone in Selangor PKR. Zuraida Kamaruddin

leaders would know the three parties were not in tandem with the state PKR on the matter.

“We did not want our national level leaders to misunderstand and assume that we too are of the same opinion as our PKR counterparts in Selangor,’’ he added.

Asked about Hizwan’s statement, Selangor PKR chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said he had the right to voice his opinion.

“We have to respect the views of party leaders and members. I can appreciate the sentiment of those who fought for the last 20 years,” said Azmin, who is also Selangor mentri besar, when met at the state secretariat on Wednesday.

However, Azmin also reiterated that the selection was endorsed by the Pakatan and PKR top leadership.

Selayang PKR division chairman William Leong concurred that the national leadership had agreed upon the prime minister and deputy prime minister designates.

“The party and Pakatan has made its decision and we have to adhere to it,’’ he said.

He said it was crucial for all Pakatan component parties to be united if they wanted the people’s confidence and support.

“I think people want to see a viable Pakatan. If we are not able to stand united, how can we expect people to come out and support us?” added Leong.