MELAKA: Dissatisfied with what they claimed were speeches blatantly critical of party deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, about 100 individuals staged a walkout from the PKR national congress here.
The incident took place at about 3pm after the speech of former Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung, who is also a Penang delegate.
Earlier, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had delivered his speech where, among other things, he noted that the party’s slogan “lawan tetap lawan” did not mean that party members should fight among themselves.
Chants of “balik” (go back) were heard among some delegates during the congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre yesterday.Several leaders such as Tian Chua and deputy women’s wing chief Dr Daroyah Alwi were also seen leaving the venue.
However, Tian Chua, when met by reporters, denied that he had boycotted the event.
“There was no boycott. I just wanted to leave to meet another person,” he said.
PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said he did not know why the delegates left the event as he stressed that Anwar’s speech did not attack anyone specifically.
“Azmin’s name wasn’t mentioned at all. I don’t know why they (the delegates) claimed so,” he said, adding that the matter would be raised with the party disciplinary committee.
Meanwhile, a delegate who wished to remain anonymous said 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 wanted to listen to the president’s policy speech, not just outright bashing of Azmin.
“Besides that, the choice of debaters was clearly one-sided. I’m disappointed,” he said.
Another delegate, who only wished to be known as “Sue”, said she left because she only wanted to know about the party’s direction and manifesto.
“I’m done with anti-Azmin speeches. I just want to know what the party’s manifesto is.”
Meanwhile, the police are seeking eight individuals to assist investigations into a brawl that occurred at the PKR Youth and Women wings’ congress on Friday.
The incident left two people injured following an exchange of punches and stones being pelted.
Melaka police chief DCP Datuk Mat Kasim Karim called on the eight individuals to show up at the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters to help in investigations under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting using weapons.
“I also want to advise all participants of the congress to be more disciplined and professional,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said one of the two individuals arrested were found to have a drug record. The duo, he added, were remanded for two days.
“Preliminary investigations found that the two groups involved in the incident – one wearing black and the other in blue – were linked to PKR Youth,” he said.
The incident took place at about 3pm after the speech of former Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung, who is also a Penang delegate.
Earlier, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had delivered his speech where, among other things, he noted that the party’s slogan “lawan tetap lawan” did not mean that party members should fight among themselves.
Chants of “balik” (go back) were heard among some delegates during the congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre yesterday.Several leaders such as Tian Chua and deputy women’s wing chief Dr Daroyah Alwi were also seen leaving the venue.
However, Tian Chua, when met by reporters, denied that he had boycotted the event.
“There was no boycott. I just wanted to leave to meet another person,” he said.
PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said he did not know why the delegates left the event as he stressed that Anwar’s speech did not attack anyone specifically.
“Azmin’s name wasn’t mentioned at all. I don’t know why they (the delegates) claimed so,” he said, adding that the matter would be raised with the party disciplinary committee.
Meanwhile, a delegate who wished to remain anonymous said 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 wanted to listen to the president’s policy speech, not just outright bashing of Azmin.
“Besides that, the choice of debaters was clearly one-sided. I’m disappointed,” he said.
Another delegate, who only wished to be known as “Sue”, said she left because she only wanted to know about the party’s direction and manifesto.
“I’m done with anti-Azmin speeches. I just want to know what the party’s manifesto is.”
Meanwhile, the police are seeking eight individuals to assist investigations into a brawl that occurred at the PKR Youth and Women wings’ congress on Friday.
The incident left two people injured following an exchange of punches and stones being pelted.
Melaka police chief DCP Datuk Mat Kasim Karim called on the eight individuals to show up at the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters to help in investigations under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting using weapons.
“I also want to advise all participants of the congress to be more disciplined and professional,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said one of the two individuals arrested were found to have a drug record. The duo, he added, were remanded for two days.
“Preliminary investigations found that the two groups involved in the incident – one wearing black and the other in blue – were linked to PKR Youth,” he said.
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