Youth leader resigns from post, says democracy's dead in Selangor PKR

Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman has resigned from his post, alleging the arrogance and bias of several leaders have killed the spirit of democracy within the state PKR.

Calling on the main PKR leadership to intervene in the matter, Syed Badli said his unhappiness stemmed from alleged favouritism shown in the party's division of political appointments.

Without going into details, Syed Badli, in a statement, alleged cronyism and nepotism have led division leaders to forsake merit over loyalty in this matter.

"I slam the attitude of a handful of Selangor PKR leaders that have used the handing out of political appointments as part of their efforts to solidify their influence and power.

"Qualifications, abilities, experience and contributions to the party struggle should be important criteria in determining committee members, for example. But what happens is the opposite," he claimed.

Syed Badli further alleged that the party hierarchy is no longer respected as long-serving members or those whose names were officially proposed at division level were ignored if they disagreed with these leaders, whom he did not name.

"The foundation of Reformasi and justice are lost... the culture of keeping each other in check (tegur menegur) is no longer fresh in Selangor PKR due to the arrogance of the handful of state leaders.

"I, therefore, resign as Selangor PKR Youth secretary with immediate effect, as I feel democracy is dead in Selangor PKR," his statement read.

When contacted, the state government, led by PKR's Amirudin Shari, insisted that recent political appointments in Selangor had gone through the necessary committees and processes.

"The recent political appointments in Selangor have gone through committees which have considered opinions and recommendations from all parties involved in the process. Menteri Besar Selangor (Amirudin) believes that the process is clean and that it has been the normal practice in the party.

"But as a democratic party, of course, PKR allows its members to voice their opinions and ideas, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So does Syed Badli Shah. In that sense, we respect his decision to resign," Fareed Ashaaree, press and communication secretary to the Selangor menteri besar, told Malaysiakini. -Mkini