PKR hit by row over seats

SHOCKING: MP claims more than one businessman calling the shots over seat allocations

(NST) - PORT KLANG: A day after Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) strategic director Rafizi Ramli announced on Twitter his decision to quit his Selangor government post, the Kapar member of parliament has inflicted on the party another damaging tweet.

"Shocked to read Nanban news yesterday, all PKR Indian parliamentary seats decided by a businessman," the Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, of PKR, tweeted yesterday afternoon.

When contacted, he said the news confirmed what he had already known about the goings on in the party.

He said there were a number of businessmen involved, those using their money and exerting influence to have a say in who gets to contest in the coming general election.

"Some of the businessmen wanted to contest while others wished to place their own candidates in the parliamentary seats.

"If they really want to help the party, they must do it sincerely and not because they want any favours from the leadership.

"These businessmen are not even PKR members and some have just joined the party."

He said he did not want his future in the party to be decided by any businessmen.

"I have kept quiet for a long time but now I have to speak out. I have to tell the truth."

Meanwhile Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the allegation revealed PKR's true colours.

"I don't know whether this is true or not but if it is true, this reflects PKR's true nature where its leadership and members can be influenced by outsiders, including business people," he said after the closing of a three-month Indian women entrepreneurship training programme, here, yesterday.

Some 100 Indian women nationwide enrolled in the three-month programme, fully supported by the ministry to prepare them to open nurseries and become preschool teachers and kindergarten owners.

He said the programme, conducted by Eduwis Sdn Bhd, was part of the government's effort to elevate the Indian community's socio-economic standing. "It is my hope that graduates can open their own nurseries and kindergartens and continue to seek knowledge and contribute to the society and their family.

"Little by little, through programmes like this, we can improve the Indian community's quality of life and reduce other issues plaguing it."