Nurul: Internal feud is a norm

Party veep Nurul Izzah Anwar however said the leadership is doing their level best to overcome the problem.

KAJANG: PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar welcomed senior DAP leader Lim Kit Siang’s concern that internal feuds can damage PKR and Pakatan Rakyat.

She however added that the rivalry within PKR and Pakatan is a norm in the dynamics of politics within a party.

“I welcome it positively. It is a good advice.  A house divided is problematic to ensure a win. It is, however, also part of the dynamics of politics in a party.

“There would be contests but it must not affect our work and service on the ground,” said Nurul Izzah who leads PKR’s polling district machinery in Taman Mesra for the Kajang by-election.

She spoke to FMT during a hi-tea session with the party’s women wing members and party workers.

Yesterday, Lim warned that internal feuds within PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, if left unchecked, can cause a major problem for Anwar Ibrahim in the Kajang state seat by-election on March 23.

“In the Kajang by-election, we can only suffer defeats and setbacks of our own making,” he said in a statement.

“At stake in the Kajang by-election is not just Anwar’s personal political future, but the future of Pakatan Rakyat, three million Selangorians and 30 million Malaysians,” he added.

Lim said that the harsh reality was that a defeat in the Kajang by-election – in failing to achieve a resounding and historic victory – cannot be ruled out.

Nurul who is also Lembah Pantai MP added that the PKR is doing its level best to overcome the issue at hand.

When asked on Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s announcement to contest for PKR deputy presidency against incumbent Azmin Ali, she echoed party president Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim’s sentiments that it was a democratic process.

“I hope the members can choose the most deserving leaders. The focus however must be on this by-election,” she said.

Nurul’s father who is also PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is contesting in the Kajang by-election.

MCA decided to field its vice president, Chew Mei Fun. The New Gen Party is expected to name its candidate next week.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim and dangdut singer Herman Tino is expected to contest the seat as well.

The Kajang state seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent assemblymen Lee Chin Cheh of PKR on Jan 27. The Election Commission fixed March 23 as polling date and nomination day on March 11. Early polling would be held on March 19.

The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. At the last general election in May, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.

Kajang, famous for its satay, is located in the eastern part of Selangor is one of the three state constituency in the Hulu Langat parliament constituency. It has a 342,657 population, consisting 60.4% Malays, 19.3% Chinese, 9.7% Indians, and 10.6% other ethnic groups.