Factional rivalry flares up as Haniza hits back at state PKR chiefs

Haniza Talha.

KUALA LUMPUR: Factional rivalry within PKR following the show-cause letter issued to vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin continues to tear at party unity.

Wanita PKR chief Haniza Talha (pic) hit out at state chiefs who demanded the sacking of Zuraida, who was democratically elected by securing the second-highest number of votes in the race for the three vice-president posts.

Haniza had said those making the loudest noise were among the biggest losers in the party election last year.

She pointed out that Datuk Johari Abdul had lost in a three-cornered fight in the battle for the Sungai Petani division chief post, but was appointed the Kedah PKR chief.

"Johari also lost in the vice-presidential race, securing only 9.9% of 500,000 votes," she said.

"Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador failed to secure a central leadership council (MPP) post, falling badly to the 69th position," said Haniza, adding that he only won the Kuala Kangsar division post by 266 votes.

Others she mentioned were Fuziah Salleh, who was appointed the Pahang chief despite not contesting any division post and losing the race for the Wanita chief post; as well as Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who lost the division election and failed to secure an MPP post but was appointed as Johor chief.

"Zuraida won the vice-presidential election with strong support from the grassroots, securing the second-highest number of votes," she said.

Johari had called for Zuraida to be sacked at the PKR central leadership council meeting, saying that there were too many voices from the grassroots calling for her dismissal over her criticism of party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"The PKR divisions and branches also asked that Zuraida be sacked. We ask the disciplinary committee to consider sacking her based on the demands by the grassroots," he had said along with nine other PKR state chiefs.

Zuraida landed in hot water after making a speech during a PKR gathering at the Renaissance Hotel on Dec 8.

During the dinner themed "Shared Prosperity Vision", Zuraida had alleged that Anwar tried to convince her that it was PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in the sex video that went viral in June.

The dinner was organised by Azmin shortly after those aligned to Azmin's faction boycotted the final day of the party's national congress in Melaka.

Anwar and Azmin were at that time openly locked in conflict, with Zuraida and Haniza aligned to Azmin's faction.