Azmin leads group demanding all actions against Zuraida dropped

    

PETALING JAYA: A group of 46 PKR leaders including 15 MPs, 28 state assemblymen and others led by party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, have come out in defence of PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (Jan 22) the group led by the Economic Affairs Minister accused those who gave Zuraida the show-cause letter of doing it in bad faith and being jealous of her achievements.

In the statement, the 46 PKR leaders demanded for all actions against the Housing and Local Government Minister and Ampang MP to be dropped immediately.

Among the 46 signatories were central council members, ministers and deputy ministers, including Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Works Minister Baru Bian, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Amirudin Shari, Deputy Ministers Sivarasa Rasiah and Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, and PKR vice-presidents Tian Chua and Ali Biju.

"The act of demonstrating in front of the party headquarters on Jan 18 and the Housing and Local Government Ministry on Jan 21 has stained the image of the party and the government.

"The sacking of the seven central youth wing leaders by letter on Jan 15 is against the party constitution and betrays the voices of the grassroots members who elected them.

"The public statements of several PKR state chairmen to demand Zuraida' sacking made matters worse as we agreed not to issue any provocative statements openly," said the statement.

The group went on to say that issuing the show-cause letter to Zuraida had only increased strife within the party, adding that there had been a concerted effort by provocateurs to destroy party cooperation at the beginning of the year.

"We are of the opinion that the actions and pressure to sack Zuraida is mala fide (bad faith) as it stems from jealousy of her success and leadership as the Housing and Local Government Minister.

"She has exhibited commitment to be proud of and introduced a dynamic working culture in the ministry," said the group while demanding that all disciplinary actions against Zuraida be dropped immediately.

On Jan 15, the party issued a show-cause letter to Zuraida, demanding her explanation for alleged transgressions against the party.

Among the transgressions was her speech criticising PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a function on Dec 8 last year.

The party has in recent months been split into two factions, one supporting Anwar and the other supporting Azmin, ever since a sex video purportedly featuring the latter was circulated by a team allegedly led by PKR members from Anwar's faction.

Zuraida has openly sided with Azmin.