PKR remains intact, Azmin's supporters possibly blameless, says Anwar

- Bernama

PETALING JAYA: PKR remains intact despite the exit of 11 MPs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

The PKR president said this after a meeting with the party's MPs, state assemblymen and leaders.

"The party is intact. All 39 MPs were here, (including) state assemblymen and the entire leadership.

"They expressed remorse as they were not privy to some of the back door deals undertaken by some party leaders.

"They feel betrayed," Anwar said to reporters at PKR's headquarters in Merchant Square on Sunday (March 1).

He also said that the followers of sacked PKR MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali were innocent as they are not aware of any alleged conspiracy to topple the government.

"They don't know. They just follow through. Now, they feel betrayed. Nobody told them about these lies and conspiracy to topple the government and have a backdoor arrangement."

Anwar said even worse were the PKR leaders involved in the conspiracy.

"Institutional reforms are not on their agenda. Because the only arrangement is to secure power," he said.

Anwar also said Azmin's supporters should not be solely blamed as they were merely supporting the Gombak MP as the PKR deputy president at that time.

"So if there are people supporting him, it's not wrong ... Sometimes, we have to understand that the grassroots are unhappy and maybe some of it is not resolved.

"So, it is my duty to redakan (calm down) and strengthen the party again," he said.

At the same time, Anwar stressed that he would stick with his principles and not accept race-based parties.

"I stick to my principles. The vast majority (of Malaysians) are Malays, but it's a multiracial country and I do not condone any racist agenda.

"I believe consistently that the plight of the people, irrespective of race, must be give the priority," he said.