Those attending 'parallel congress' will be sacked from PKR, warns Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR members who attend the "parallel" congress in Kuala Lumpur will be sacked, said party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

Anwar warned that action would be taken against anyone who attempts to sabotage the national congress as it was a serious offence.

"I would like to remind members if there are attempts to ruin the spirit of party unity, action will also be taken, including sacking them," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (Dec 5) when asked to comment on the parallel congress, said to be led by some leaders aligned to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Anwar said that thus far, some 83% of delegates had registered for the party's congress that will be held in Melaka this weekend.

He hoped that there would not be any attempts to have any other congress apart from the one in Melaka.

Anwar also said that the meeting with Azmin and other leaders on Wednesday (Dec 4) during the party's special bureau political meeting focused on preparations for the congress.

He said that Azmin, as the deputy president, would officiate the Women and Youth wings while Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would close the congress.

Meanwhile, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil dismissed claims that there are different factions within the party.

"That is something portrayed by the media. I understand that there could be a perception of such but the reality is, there are no camps.

"What we have now is Parti Keadilan Rakyat that is strong and united," he said.

Fahmi added that the party's special bureau political meeting on Wednesday night was positive as leaders had stated their willingness to work together and focus on matters about the rakyat.

Previously, Azmin was dropped from opening the PKR Youth congress on Dec 6, and Dr Wan Azizah, who is the PKR advisory council chief, said to launch it instead.

That triggered outcry from leaders allegedly aligned with Azmin, and several PKR Youth leaders also signed a joint statement condemning party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution for triggering a "leadership crisis".

This was in response to a statement by Saifuddin on Nov 12, who rescinded the invitation to Azmin for officiating the PKR youth national congress.