Keep it cool, says Wan Azizah after brawl at PKR congress

AYER KEROH: Following the ruckus that lasted from morning till noon at the PKR Youth and Women’s congress, PKR advisory board chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged all parties to keep “cool”.

“We want everyone to be cool-lah. Don’t provoke. If there are provocations, things may turn into something else,” she told a press conference after the wings' congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) on Friday (Dec 6).

She added that there many agents provocateurs were present in the congress.

“I’m not accusing anyone. Let the police do their investigations.”

At the same time, Dr Wan Azizah acknowledged that there were “ripples” within the party but dismissed them as merely the dynamics of a political party.

“There’s dynamics in any party. If it’s a dead party... it’s boring,” she quipped.

The former PKR president appeared unfazed towards party deputy Youth chief Hilman Idham’s threats to boycott the national congress on Saturday (Dec 7).

“What to do, he doesn’t want to come, then don’t come. (But) come-lah, this is our congress. They are our delegates, they are welcome to come,” she said.

Dr Wan Azizah expressed regret that there were commotion and fists hurled during the congress.

She pointed out that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) had confirmed that the sacking of Muhammad Mizan Adli Mohd Noor and Mohd Ramly Ahmad as national Youth permanent chairman and deputy respectively, was valid.

“So there isn’t an issue. The party president already said we will take stern action so this is not a culture.

“We want a good, peaceful, comfortable democracy. This cannot be our culture.

“As Malaysians, we can sit down and talk to each other and resolve things nicely.”

The chaos at MITC started at 9am on Friday (Dec 6) when Mizan and Ramly were denied entry into the party Youth congress, triggering a shouting match and shoves between two groups of youths.

At about noon, the commotion erupted into a brawl, with one delegate being injured after a stone was thrown at him.

Meanwhile, during Dr Wan Azizah’s closing remarks at the Youth and Women’s wings' congress, she said the issue of infighting wasn't a foreign one to PKR as it had taken place since the party’s inception in 1999.

“Imagine that, we were just a young party and already at odds with other people.

“However, the most intense moment would be last year’s party elections. Candidates who contested for positions consisted of cabinet ministers, mentris besar, state exco members among others.”

She said party members must maintain discipline and integrity at all times.

“Clashes will not benefit anyone. Shoulder your responsibilities well and maintain your behaviour as leaders.

“Be disciplined and adhere to ethics and rules made during the party’s formation.”