PKR leaders hit out at 'coup leaders'

Penang PKR leaders today hit out at certain division leaders for allegedly attempting to stage a leadership coup and create a rift among party members in the state.

State PKR secretary Mustafa Kamal blasted the ‘rebels' of wrongly using their resources to cause an internal ruckus.

Instead, he suggested that the rebels should mobilise and focus their energy, mind and time to counter the resurgence of opposition Barisan Nasional in Penang.

"I am disappointed that these few rebel leaders were interested in creating internal politicking rather than strengthening the party grassroots support.

"I hardly see these rebels countering the opposition BN attacks on Pakatan Rakyat, be it through the media, by carrying effective field work or even while debating in legislature sittings.

"But they seem more actively involved in disrupting internal party operations," he told Malaysiakini.

Senator Mustafa warned that such negative elements could prove costly for the party and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in the next general election.

He reminded the rebels that the people have chosen Pakatan at the last general election because they wanted to move away from BN-type communal policies, intense bickering and, unjust and unfair governance.

He cautioned that people would not hesitate to vote against PKR and Pakatan if they were to become fed up with the internal bickering.

‘Public expectation is high because the voters wanted a change in the political landscape and style.

"They will vote us out in the same manner they did to BN if they felt we were to be no different," said Mustafa.

He was referring to recent attempt by certain division leaders and elected lawmakers to oust Bayan Baru parliamentarian Zahrain Hashim as the state party chairperson.

During an informal meeting last Sunday, according to a mobile text message sent to Malaysiakini , division leaders had demanded Zahrain to step down ‘gracefully'.

Call to remove state secretary

The rebels are said to have demanded Zahrain to remove Mustafa as the state secretary, and his two assistant secretaries Lim Boo Chang and M Nyanasegaran.

Lim has also been appointed councillor in the Penang Island Municipal Council.

The text message claimed that Zahrain had conceded to the demands.

Zahrain however, denied the claim and said that he had instead issued a 'stern fatherly lecture' to abort the revolt against his leadership

"They must be joking," he said, saying that he was appointed by the national leadership, not the rebels, to lead Penang PKR.

"I have told them to raise their grouses in the next liaison committee meeting," he told Malaysiakini .

State executive councilor and Batu Kawan division chief Law Choo Kiang, Jelutong chief and Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tan Tee Beng, Bukit Bendera chairperson and Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Jason Ong Khan Lee, Bukit Gelugor chief, Batu Uban state representative VS Raveentharan and Bukit Mertajam division chief and Machang Bubok legislator Tan Hock Leong were among those who attended the three-hour Sunday meeting

Attempts to contact the sender of the message met with no response.

Sources said these detractors were against Lim and Nyanasegaran since the duo defected from BN to join PKR after last year's general election.

Lim was formerly a Gerakan and later MCA assemblyperson, while Nyanasegaran was a former MIC Bayan Baru division leader.

The rebels have accused Zahrain and Mustafa of favouring ‘BN rejects' at their expense.

They claimed to be ‘hardcore PKR loyalists.'

Zahrain defended the state liaison committee decision to appoint Lim and Nyanasegaran as principal office-bearers early this year.

He explained that the duo have the administrative capabilities and experience to carry out the party work effectively.

"Moreover, they have not caused any rift or problems in the party," he said.

Be consistent in protest

He said although PKR had emerged as a political force after a strong electoral performance in the last general election, the party cannot afford to be lulled by complacency.

He said these rebels should also be consistent in their objection against the party decision to recruit former BN members.

He suggested to the rebels to protest against the national leadership for alluring so-called BN rejects such as former Minister Zaid Ibrahim and ex-deputy minister Fauzi Rahman from Umno, and the latest being former Minister Chua Jui Meng from the MCA.

Pointing out that all three have been appointed instantly into the party central leadership council, Zahrain challenged the rebels to protest against party supremo Anwar Ibrahim for approving their appointments.

"Why they are practicing double standards in their objection?" Zahrain asked.

When contacted, Tee Beng declined to reveal the details of the Sunday's informal meeting with Zahrain.

He said he would prefer to resolve internal issues within proper party channels.