Two camps, a minister and PKR ‘cronyism’

A source says that recent allegations of cronyism in PKR have more to do with a federal minister who is bypassing the menteri besar in selection of local councillors.

There is disagreement among PKR grassroots over local council appointments in Selangor.

PETALING JAYA: Trouble is brewing in Selangor PKR, marked by recent resignations and accusations of cronyism against state leaders.

But it has little to do with the much-talked about split in the party, in the run-up to crucial party elections next month, a source said.

Many have linked the resignations of Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman and Sabak Bernam PKR Youth chief Abdul Mutalib Ahmad to the so-called “two camps”, one for vice-president Rafizi Ramli and the other for deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Both leaders, not the best of friends in PKR in recent times, are likely to clash head-on for the deputy president’s post, in the party’s first election since its leaders became part of the federal government last May.

But a source in the party said neither Rafizi nor Azmin was a factor in the dissatisfaction among grassroots leaders.

A major complaint within PKR has been over the appointments of local councillors in Selangor, where it is said that party hierarchy was ignored, with a select few seen close to certain individuals being promoted.

So if it’s not Rafizi or Azmin, then who?

“The issue is linked to a federal minister,” said the source, demanding strict anonymity before speaking to FMT.

“The minister is appointing anyone the minister wants as councillors and in doing so, is undermining the Selangor menteri besar,” the source said, referring to Amirudin Shari, widely seen by party members as part of “Camp Azmin”.

The source said by convention, every MP and assemblyman from the party nominates a councillor each, while division chiefs choose the rest.

“But most didn’t get to pick, because the minister who is also a top party leader chose those the minister wanted.”

The source, who refused to name the minister, said majority of PKR divisions in Selangor were pro-Azmin.

But it said that even those in Azmin’s camp were sidelined.

“The minister makes decisions without giving any reasons. By right, the menteri besar should be the one to decide on the local councillors.

“It now appears that the minister is calling the shots and is undermining Amir,” the source added, referring to the current MB. -FMT