KUCHING: A simmering spat between two leaders in PKR has come out into the open, threatening to drive a wedge between their supporters.
The ‘dispute’ between party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali could have a bearing on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration and land the ruling coalition in troubled waters.
“Appointments do not reflect the principle of fair and just representation.”
Political observers see the latest spat as giving ammunition to the opposition, especially Umno, to up the ante against PH which has come under fire lately.
The latest trigger for the spat was related to key party appointments. Azmin yesterday urged Anwar to review all key appointments in the party.
The deputy president was referring to defeated party rival Rafizi Ramli’s appointment as a vice president and the appointments of other members to key positions that were only announced on Friday.
“The appointments that have been announced do not reflect the principle of fair and just representation towards the aspiration of members and will not help the party to move forward,” Azmin said in a statement yesterday.
He was also unhappy with the positions of PKR secretary-general and members in the central leadership council.
He said the appointments made after a fierce contest in the party polls should take into account the views of the party grassroots.
“I will once again refer the matter to YB President who has already been informed of my views and the views of the majority of the MPP (central leadership council) who were elected.
“This view was conveyed to YB President a few weeks ago and I urge YB President to give attention to guarantee an inclusive future for the party,” he said in his statement.
In an immediate reaction, Anwar shot back at Azmin (see accompanying story) for openly protesting the new appointments.
The Star Online quoted Anwar as saying the members were co-opted to create an inclusive leadership.
“I want to be inclusive… he wants some people out. I want everybody in… that’s the difference,” he said.
Anwar also accused Azmin of bearing grudges against some of the appointees.
The party president also seemed to have taken a swipe at Azmin. He said in his Twitter account that his deputy should focus on economic growth instead of politicking.
“If only some people focused more on growing the economy, and less on politicking,” he said in his Twitter message.
His tweet appeared to be directed at Azmin for his call to review appointments in PKR.
