‘Anwar consulted division chiefs on state leaders’

PUTRAJAYA: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with divisional leaders for about a month before he appointed the state chiefs, said PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said this was in line with the party’s constitution, which states that the president must have discussions with divisional leaders first.

“So did he (Anwar) discuss it first? Yes. With all division leaders? Yes. From Perlis to Sabah? Yes.

“If others still dispute it, it will turn messy. If everyone respects the decision, it will be a relief.

“There will be no problem and there is no need for any revival plans as every (condition) had been fulfilled,” he told reporters after presenting certificates for the Traders Transformation Programme at the ministry here yesterday.

Former PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya had earlier slammed the party, claiming there was cronyism and nepotism in the appointment of party state chiefs, including that of Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah as the Penang chief.

On Monday, Nurul Izzah resigned as PKR vice-president and the party’s Penang chief.

On the same day, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim also quit as the Johor chief.

Saifuddin said Anwar had no choice but to appoint Nurul Izzah after all 13 division leaders in Penang strongly supported her.

“It would be good if she (Nurul Izzah) changes her mind. If not, I believe the president will conduct a review but for now Nurul Izzah is sticking with her decision and it’s the same in Johor,” he said.

Asked if PKR had received any new membership application from Umno members, he replied: “None so far.” Six Umno MPs quit the party to become independents. They are Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam) and Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad (Mersing).

On Dec 12, almost the entire leadership line-up from Sabah Umno, which included five MPs, nine state assemblymen and two senators, announced their departure from the party.