When PKR vice-president Azmin Ali was asked about Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s tweets regarding his opposition to Zaid Ibrahim’s candidacy in the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election, his first reaction was, "They got nothing else to do?"

azmin ali pc in parliament 020709 02 "This is not true. I've been in Hulu Selangor on numerous occasions, including the launching of election machinery with (Menteri Besar) Khalid (Ibrahim),” said Azmin, who is also the PKR operation room director for the Hulu Selangor by-election.

"Even prior to that, I was very much involved in local and state machinery to identify the main operation rooms for the by-election."

Azmin however conceded that he was absent on Tuesday night when PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim announced the party’s candidate to a crowd of 5,000 in Serendah, Batang Kali.

According to Azmin, he had to attend the Selangor assembly sitting, which was extended to 9pm that day.

"It is not fair to judge the situation based on my absence that night. I'm going Hulu Selangor again tomorrow, and will be there until polling day."

‘I may have differences with Zaid but...’

On the issue of Zaid’s candidacy, Azmin said a few names were proposed by both the PKR grassroots and the leadership - all of whom were individuals committed to the party’s cause.

NONE "It is difficult to decide (on the final candidate). The party went through the process of consultation with branches, divisions and the state leadership."

He stressed that since the party has decided on rival leader Zaid, all should support him to ensure the party win.

"He was chosen by the party after going through an extensive processes. I will support him because he is representing the party and I want the party to win,” said Azmin, who has a history of not seeing eye-to-eye with Zaid on a number of issues.

"My commitment to PKR started from the foundation of the party in 1999. I may have differences (with Zaid), but in the end I will uphold and support the decision of party."

Zaid's response

When told that Zaid joined PKR only last year while other potential candidates were in the party longer, Azmin said that the party leaders have taken that into consideration during the selection process.

"I don't think the leadership is naïve enough to ignore such matters."

When asked today, Zaid declined to comment as he did not want to "waste" his time on such matters.

“I want to focus on making people understand that Pakatan Rakyat aims to be a better government (and not) waste time entertaining such allegations,” he said.

 

He added that those against him will always find something to say to suit any occasion.

 

“When I win, (my opponents) will say something else - that I was lucky...,” he said.