Former PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim's animosity with his former party was possibly due to his failure to bag the top job at a Selangor government-linked company.

syed husin ali interview 160307 confident In a statement today, PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali ( right ) alluded to the fact that Salehuddin's recent anti-PKR stance could be due to the Selangor government's decision not to appoint him as chief executive of Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd.

Kumpulan Perangsang, owned by Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd, is one of the biggest state-owned conglomerates with interests in infrastructure, utilities and properties.

Syed Husin said Salehuddin had served well as secretary-general, despite occasional run-ins with party leaders. However, failing to become Kumpulan Perangsang's CEO broke the camel's back.

"His anger climaxed when his 'application' to be CEO of Kumpulan Perangsang, which carries a monthly emolument of more than RM50,000, was rejected before he resigned as party secretary-general," he said.

Syed Husin also revealed that Salehuddin's services to the party were never free of charge, as popularly believed during his tenure.

"I wish to put the record straight that he had agreed to accept RM9,000 a month, although earlier he requested for US$3,000 monthly," said Syed Husin, adding that the sum was paid by a party supporter.

'Salehuddin's claims unfounded'

Salehuddin was a prominent corporate figure before ditching the business world to administer PKR back in 2008. He was also a contemporary of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar.

dap forum on parliament sexual remarks 180507 salehuddin hashim In recent weeks, Salehuddin ( left) has made appearances at the separate press conferences by Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim and Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng when they announced their departure from PKR.

Salehuddin's presence sparked speculation that he  is masterminding an exodus from PKR, fueled further by his claims that at least 10 more are expected to quit soon.

Syed Husin said only time will tell if Salehuddin is telling the truth.

"Nevertheless, with the information I have, I believe that this is unfounded and part of a baseless psychological war against the party," he added.

Salehuddin: Syed Husin has 'vendetta'

In an immediate reaction, Salehuddin blasted Syed Husin's statement, which he claims stems from a 'grossly childish' personal vendetta.

Salehuddin said the revelation reflected upon the shallow political thought that is now engulfing PKR leadership, in which he had worked four years as organising secretary and also as Anwar Ibrahim's chief-of-staff.

He said he reluctantly accepted the post of party secretary-general on a full-time basis for a monthly salary of RM9,000 that he called a pittance in comparison to the hours he had put in.

Salehuddin admitted he was upset about the Kumpulan Perangsang episode but was more hurt by Syed Husin's allegation that Salehuddin has asked for a salary of RM50,000 to be Perangsang's CEO.

"I have told Anwar that I would accept the job if I were paid RM1 per month. I do not wish to make public such confidential documents but suffice to say Syed Husin should have done his homework before shooting his mouth," he said.

Describing Syed Husin as having a high calibre background, he called on him to 'raise the bar' and not act in childish ways.

"But then I understand, it would be hard to teach old dogs new tricks," he quipped.