PKR's Sidam rep cites loss of confidence in Anwar for leaving party

PETALING JAYA: PKR's recent purge of grassroots leaders in Kedah and loss of confidence in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were the reasons cited by Sidam assemblyman Dr Robert Ling for leaving the party.

"I have lost confidence in PKR led by Anwar Ibrahim.

"Since leading the party in the 2018 polls, things have worsened for the party, culminating in a split that resulted in the sacking of some leaders, including Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Zuraida (Kamaruddin) with many others leaving the party," he said in a statement issued on Tuesday (May 12).

Dr Ling, who heads the PKR Sungai Petani branch, said this was followed by steps taken to purge PKR of alleged traitors at the grassroots level.

"This included suspending members in Kedah and at the branches which I led since 2014.

"The suspension of my deputy Firdaus Yusoff and several committee members at the Sungai Petani branch seem to challenge my loyalty and that of my friends for the party which we had all this while," he added.

He said that his resignation as PKR Sungai Petani branch chief was with immediate effect and includes two-thirds of the branch committee members and the PKR Sungai Petani youth wing.

"My position as Sidam assemblyman is no longer under the PKR logo," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Ling held a joint press conference with Lunas assemblyman Azman Nasrudin to announce their decision to leave PKR and become independents friendly towards Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.