PKR Youth veep downplays revolt after Harapan Youth snub

 

PKR has often seen itself as the de facto leader in Pakatan Harapan - but the decision to let Amanah lead the coalition's Youth wing has ruffled feathers.

Several PKR Youth leaders have publicly criticised the decision but PKR Youth vice-chief Thiban Subramananiam downplayed concerns of a revolt.

Thiban acknowledged that some are disappointed that PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir (above) was not appointed as the Harapan Youth chief but said their numbers are small.

The position fell vacant after Bersatu quit Harapan to form a new coalition government with the opposition in late February last year.

The position was previously occupied by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who was later also sacked from Bersatu for protesting against the party's Harapan exit.

Syed Saddiq is now in the midst of setting up a new party - the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).

Thiban said Harapan Youth had, immediately after the Sheraton Move, agreed to appoint Akmal as the new Harapan Youth chief but the decision was not carried out due to delays for various reasons, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

"But when the Harapan presidential council decided to appoint Amanah Youth chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin as the new (Harapan Youth) chief, there are those in PKR Youth who were disappointed.

"But this did not mean that we reject Shazni. PKR Youth fully supports any decision by the Harapan presidential council, which is chaired by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim," he said.

The Harapan presidential council agreed to Shazni's appointment after DAP Youth backed Amanah Youth for the position, leaving PKR Youth isolated.

Prior to Shazni's appointment, PKR Youth had also sent a memo pushing for Akmal's appointment as the Harapan Youth chief. However, Akmal chose to concede.

Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin

"Even though there was urging from the leadership and PKR Youth grassroots for me to be Harapan Youth chief, I chose not to drag on the appointment process in Harapan's political interests," he had said.

However, some PKR Youth grassroots remain upset with calls to ditch the DAP and Amanah wings in their activities.

The Harapan coalition is split over its future with Amanah and DAP wanting continued cooperation with other opposition parties such as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamamd's Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang) and Syed Saddiq's Muda.

However, PKR has icy relations with Pejuang and is instead gravitating toward Umno. - Mkini