Up to Anwar to save PKR from blind fanaticism, Tian Chua says

PKR AGM | PKR vice-president Tian Chua urged president Anwar Ibrahim to save the party from the crisis of blind fanaticism.

In a rousing speech at the closing of the PKR National Congress at Malacca International Trade Centre (MITC) today, Tian Chua said no one disputes Anwar’s position as the eighth prime minister, but the issue was bigger than Anwar as it involves the future of the party.

“The problem is not the eighth or ninth or 10th prime minister, (the worry is) we will see our supporters become more extreme, become fanatics and that is the danger for our party as a ruling party.

“It’s not about Anwar. After Anwar, there will be other prime ministers, other presidents.

“(The issue) if we want to turn this party into the party of cultural revolution, if we want to make this party into a party that will support the party leaders absolutely without question, I think it is up to the wisdom of Anwar to save us from this crisis,” Tian Chua said in his speech today.

Tian Chua is the only senior leader aligned to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali who attended the congress' closing today after a walkout orchestrated by Azmin's team took place at the congress yesterday.

Tian Chua was initially well-received by the crowd when he started his speech, with some in the crowd shouting "Long live Tian Chua" and "Big-hearted Tian Chua".

He then expressed his disappointment over what transpired during the delegates' debate yesterday.

"There were topics about the country's development, our relationship with Singapore, the issue of education and poverty, but what did a majority of our delegates debate about?

"What did they debate? They wanted to brown-nose and fan Anwar as the eighth prime minister," he criticised, causing the crowd to turn on him and jeer.

He said it was easy for delegates to do such things now because they can have their congress in a comfortable hall with good facilities now, but 20 years ago, it was Anwar in detention alone and various other leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"Without the contributions of Azmin, without the track record of Selangor, is it possible for us to achieve our victory?" he said, hitting one of the crowd's sore spots, which caused him to be booed.

Tian Chua, who was having a sore throat, spoke through the jeering, saying that there were other leaders whose contributions should not be forgotten.

"Do not forget Xavier (Jayakumar), Zuraida Kamaruddin, Lee Boon Chye and also Rafizi, who is not here today.

"Even though there were many times I disagreed with him, but this congress should not forget their efforts," he said.

The crowd continued to jeer him intermittently throughout the rest of his speech with some holding up banners stating "Anwar as PM8". 

Anwar had to stand on the main stage to calm the crowd twice during the speech.

"I have never shied away from the Federal Reserve Unit or the police, why would I be afraid of facing friends who are not of the same opinion as me?" Tian Chua had said earlier in his speech.

Tian Chua also warned the party against members becoming entrenched in the fanatic mindset and falling into a cult-like movement.

"Historically, it is far more dangerous to have members who have the fanatic mentality, it is more dangerous for us to have blind loyalty, it is dangerous if we were to maintain a cult personality.

"This problem is not about Anwar, but us as members... we should be more critical," he said.

The rakyat is watching to see if PKR is worthy of being a ruling party, he said, adding," the qualifications of a ruling party is not about how much cheers it can get, but it is about whether they can form a united and inclusive party capable of solving the rakyat's problems.

"I do not need to hold up a banner to show my loyalty and support for Anwar as the eighth prime minister.

"What I see as my most important duty now is that I do not want to see our party becoming a mob." 

Anwar was observed patting Tian Chua on his back after the speech.

Earlier, PKR Women vice-president J Sangheta (photo, below) faced a hostile crowd as she gave the closing speech for the party wing this morning.

She spoke in lieu of Wanita PKR chief Haniza Talha, who did not attend the party congress along with several other top leaders.

As Sangetha spoke, delegates jeered and shouted Wanita kartel (the women’s wing are in the cartel).

About midway through her speech, Sangetha called upon the crowd to calm down. Chairperson Ahmad Kassim did so as well.

“When Anwar was in jail, Dr Wan Azizah led the party. And Azmin Ali [...],” she managed to say before boos erupted again.

Delegates were also heard shouting pengkhianat (traitor).

Sangetha was in tears offstage after her speech, while Wan Azizah consoled her. - Mkini