About 100 stage walkout at PKR national congress due to 'anti-Azmin' speeches

MELAKA: About 100 people staged a walkout, claiming that speeches made during the PKR national congress here were mostly critical of party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The walkout took place around 3pm on Saturday (Dec 7) after the speech of Penang delegate and former Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung.

Delegates were heard shouting “balik” (go back) during the congress, which is taking place at the Melaka International Trade Centre here

Several leaders such as Tian Chua and Deputy Wanita chief Dr Daroyah Alwi were also seen leaving the venue.

However, Tian Chua denied that he had boycotted the event when met by reporters.

“There is no boycott. I just wanted to leave to meet another person,” said Chua to reporters.

When asked, PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said he does not know why the delegates left.

He said that the speech by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not attack anyone specifically.

“Azmin’s name wasn’t mentioned at all. I don't know why they (delegates) claimed so,” he said adding that the matter would be raised to the disciplinary committee to be deliberated.

Meanwhile, a delegate who wished to remain anonymous said that he was disappointed because he had endured a long journey just to listen to speeches that were mostly critical of Azmin.

“We came all the way from Perlis and we wanted to listen to the president’s policy speech, not just outright Azmin-bashing. The choice of debaters was clearly one-sided. I’m disappointed.”

Another delegate who only wanted to be known as Sue said she left because she wanted to find out the party’s future direction and its manifesto.

“I’m done with anti-Azmin’s speeches. I just want to know what is the party’s manifesto.”

The growing tiff between Azmin and Anwar nearly triggered a “parallel congress” in Kuala Lumpur, but was called off after Azmin was allowed to officiate both the Youth and Women’s wing congress in Melaka.

However, during the PKR Youth and Women’s wing congress on Saturday (Dec 6), a commotion erupted into a brawl around 12pm.

Two people were injured after they were punched and pelted with stones, while two others were arrested.