Amid growing calls for swift and tough action against recalcitrant PKR member Zaid Ibrahim, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail reminded it was important to show Malaysians that democracy must be upheld especially during trying times.
She invited the media to cover the PKR historic direct election and gauge for themselves if the vote-rigging and bias accusations made by Zaid and his camp were true.
"Firstly we uphold democracy in the party. Therefore, Datuk Zaid can go around the country as he wishes for reasons known to himself. The central election committee is independent to overview whole process and full power has always been given to them to make decisions without limited time frame. The press has been invited to cover the election of the national leadership and they can see for themselves our processes," Wan Azizah told Malaysia Chronicle.
Keadilan Baru!
PKR and Pakatan leaders who have demanded Zaid's sacking were in two minds about Azizah's patience. While they appreciated the fact the party polls were still ongoing, and would continue for another two weekends, they worried Zaid might take advantage of the time to further back-stab them.
Few have doubts that Zaid will eventually leave PKR once he has inflicted as much damage as he can. They also warned Azizah that he would probably use the next two weeks to "korek" or dig away as many party members as he can to the new party he is believed to be forming.
"PKR does not belong to an individual but to its 400,000-odd members. Zaid is an individualist out to destroy the hopes and aspirations of Malaysians seeking true changes and reform. By now, many of his early supporters are already wary of him and his loose-canon style and out-of-control behavior. He has betrayed the very people who supported him and they are now not only fearful but greatly disappointed," Ronnie Klassen, communications director of Sabah PKR, told Malaysia Chronicle.
Many believe it was the Sabah divisions - whom Zaid had pinned huge hopes on - that was the last straw for the former Umno leader. Instead of backing him despite his prolonged efforts to lobby for their votes, the majority of Sabah members threw their support behind vice president Azmin Ali, Zaid's main contestant for the deputy presidential contest.
Zaid has also accused PKR adviser and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim of helping Azmin. Despite Zaid's repeated allegations of vote-rigging and biasness, he has himself failed to furnish proof to the central election committee.
"We are all fuming, he is holding our party ransom. Already, his supporters are spreading word of a Keadilan Baru just like Umno Baru! Can you imagine this sort of turncoat-type mentality - it is beyond my comprehension. But I guess like Azizah has advised, we have to be patient until the party election is over. It is the principles that count and have to be defended," said Ronnie.
Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle
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