Xavier Jayakumar confirms return to PKR

 The former party vice-president, as well as founding leader Tian Chua, have rejoined as PKR president Anwar Ibrahim reaches out to party veterans.

Dr Xavier Jayakumar quit PKR in 2021 to support then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as an independent, while another vice-president, Tian Chua, was expelled after the 2022 general election for contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent.

PETALING JAYA:

Former PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar has confirmed his return to the party, days after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim called on party veterans who felt marginalised to return to the fold.

Asked to confirm his return to PKR, Xavier replied simply: “Yes.”

On Saturday, Anwar apologised to party veterans in his keynote speech at PKR’s national congress and urged them to return to the party and continue its struggle for reform.

Xavier quit PKR in 2021, when the party was in the opposition, to support then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin as an independent.

In 2022, he joined Parti Bangsa Malaysia but refused to disclose why he had done so.

Meanwhile, PKR news portal Suara Keadilan reported that former vice-president Tian Chua has also been accepted back into the party, with party leaders and members, particularly those involved in the Reformasi movement, welcoming the decision.

Tian Chua was expelled from PKR after the 2022 general election for contesting the Batu parliamentary seat as an independent.

PKR’s P Prabakaran won the seat in a 10-cornered contest. - FMT