PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly stressed that the party's disciplinary board is independent and will not be influenced over its possible action against PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin but this has not deterred groups from taking sides in what is seen as a proxy of yet another factional struggle in the party.
In the latest development, a group of PKR members who have previously occupied leadership positions in PKR Youth who brand themselves as "friends of Anwar Ibrahim" declared their support for the PKR supremo and urged the disciplinary board to act.
"We would like to stress our full support and trust in Anwar Ibrahim as the party president in dealing with the antics of certain party leaders, particularly involving disciplinary issues, and the breach of leadership ethics by Zuraida.
"We would like to state that throughout the decades that we have stood with this party of reform, quite a number of leaders at various levels and positions have betrayed (the party) and left but the party remains strong until this day," they said in a joint statement.
They also voiced support for the party's disciplinary board in handling Zuraida's case.
"We urge the disciplinary board to act without fear or favour," they said, adding that it has exercised enough tolerance and discretion.
"This party has gone through various hardships and the test is greater when it is entrusted power and position by the people.
"Now is the time for the disciplinary board to act sternly without wavering in protecting the party.
"We also urge the disciplinary board and party leadership not to bow to any threats in carrying out its duties and responsibilities," they said.
The statement was inked by 87 PKR members including former PKR Youth deputy chief Fariz Musa (2007-2010), former PKR Youth deputy chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin (2010-2013), former PKR Youth vice-chief Sharifah Shahidah (2004-2007), former Johor PKR Youth chief Zabide Abas (2008-2012), former Perlis PKR Youth chief Zamri Sapar (2007-2010), former Pahang PKR Youth chief Aidil Haryman Mat Nor (2013-2014) former Selangor PKR Youth chief Afzainizam Abdul Rahman (2016-2018), former Kedah PKR Youth chief (2007-2010), former Perak PKR Youth chief Mohd Azlan Helmi (2014-2018), former Sabah PKR Youth chief Abdul Razak Jamil (2004-2010), former Penang PKR Youth chief Amir Ghazali (2007-2014) and former Federal Territories PKR Youth chief Nasir Tampol (2004-2007).
In the past week, nationwide protests have been organised in support and against Zuraida, who is a key ally to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali (photo).
Azmin, together with 37 other elected representatives have also called for the action against Zuraida to cease.
On Jan 18, Zuraida was issued a show-cause letter by the PKR disciplinary board, but the reason was not made public.
She had indicated that the letter may be related to her speech made in December criticising Anwar.
The tussle is a continuation of a falling out between Anwar and Azmin which boiled over in late 2018, after the party election.
Azmin had lashed out at Anwar for reappointing the former's defeated opponents into the PKR leadership but Anwar had maintained that he needed to be inclusive to maintain party unity. - Mkini
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