Quit the theatrics, Anwar tells PKR members

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has issued a reminder for party members to stop putting on "dramatic acts" and instead focus on strengthening unity and discipline within their ranks.

"If you want to snipe or jibe at each other, in the meetings okay lah.

"If there are (still) those who continue to put on such acts, please stop," said Anwar in his speech at the PKR gala dinner in Shah Alam last night.

The dinner to celebrate Anwar's position as the new PKR president was held several months after the conclusion of its party polls which saw a clash of camps aligned to its two deputy president contenders - Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli 

Azmin eventually won the deputy president's race. 

Unlike other political parties in the country, PKR practises a one-member-one-vote system from its top leadership all the way down to grassroots members. 

In his speech, Anwar also noted the unseemly conduct of certain PKR members in positions of power. 

"There are certain people, they are only an ordinary YB, but they think they are more than the menteri besar. 

"There are also division chiefs who think they have become the party president...yes, there are," said Anwar.

Although noting that such matters are a normal part of any large organisation, Anwar said PKR's current priority would be to close ranks and strengthen cooperation among all members.

To that end, Anwar stressed that there would be no tolerance shown for any breach of party discipline.

"I will not tolerate any disciplinary breaches in the party because we are responsible to strengthen our ranks," he added.

On reported dissatisfactions among PKR members after conclusion of its nationwide polls last November, Anwar said most of the matters have been resolved with exception of a few remaining unhappy chatters.

The PKR central leadership council (MPP), led by Anwar, had on Dec 28 announced its full line-up of 14 elected leaders, including Rafizi who was appointed as one of three co-opted vice-presidents. 

The move did not sit well with Azmin, who, in a Facebook post, said these appointments did not constitute "fair and just representation".

The latter had specifically singled out the move to retain Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution as PKR secretary-general.

Azmin, who is economic affairs minister, however, later denied rumours that his outburst was a sign of a growing rift with Anwar.

Azmin later defended his statements, saying certain matters should be raised publicly, although, this did not mean that he has ignored proper party channels. - Mkini