Azmin: We left because 'ineligible individuals' were being given prominence

MELAKA: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali claims ineligible individuals are being given prominence by the party, leading to 23 central leadership council members leaving the national congress.

He said apart from provocative debates at the congress, unhappiness also surfaced when those ineligible were made as recipients of party's awards on Saturday (Dec 7).

"What about those who have served with sincerity as well as loyalty," he said in a press conference on Saturday (Dec 7) at an Ayer Keroh hotel with the 22 others who left the Melaka International Trade Centre after citing disillusionment over the way the debaters delivered their speeches.

Among key party leaders present at the press conference were vice-presidents Zuraida Kamaruddin, Tian Chua, Ali Biju; Wanita chief Haniza Mohamed Talha, deputy Youth chief Hilman Ildham, deputy Wanita chief Dr Daroyah Alwi.

However, Azmin said he wouldn't describe the group leaving the hall as a walkout or boycott.

"We love the party and the question of us leaving the party doesn't arrive, we just left after hearing the provocative statements.

"Unfortunately in a short period of time after I extended the olive branch to resolve (the difference) with president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, this kind of situation emerged in the congress on Saturday," he said.

Azmin revealed that the president and other party leaders had agreed to only table issues affecting the grassroots and avoid hurting or making fun of others.

"This was among the consensus points agreed on during my meeting with Anwar as well as other party leaders," he said.

Azmin said Anwar's keynote address during the congress on Saturday also touched on traitors during the Melaka Sultanate, which Azmin claimed was in reference to some in the hall.

Azmin said Anwar has failed to keep up the pledge made during the meeting with him.

"Those who debated today have crossed the line," he said.

Azmin also rubbished the notion that those who left the congress would leave PKR.

"I am optimistic that there is still (time) for amicable solutions and resolve the impasse," he said adding that they have confidence in the party.

Earlier, several PKR grassroots leaders claimed the congress on Saturday was poorly organised.

Ketereh branch chief Aziz Abdul Kadir claimed that the national congress was disorganised where ineligible individuals were recipients of awards given by Anwar.

"What have these recipients done for the party," he asked when interviewed at a leading hotel at Ayer Keroh here.

Aziz said the awards should be conferred to those who had contributed immensely to the party.

Kedah exco man Azman Nazamuddin alleged that the congress was poorly organised with security volunteers disrespecting key party leaders.

"They (security volunteers) had no respect for an elderly person like me," he said.

A Johor delegate claims that many refrained from attending the "parallel" congress in Kuala Lumpur, trusting that Azmin's group will be given fair treatment in Melaka.

Kluang party representative Mark Mathew alleged that the Kuala Lumpur one was called off after those who wanted to attend it were told to attend the Melaka one instead.

About 100 people staged a walkout, claiming that speeches made during the PKR national congress here were mostly critical of Azmin.

The walkout took place around 3pm on Saturday.