PKR vice-president Azmin Ali today demanded that Zaid Ibrahim retract his statement published in an online news portal, where he called outgoing deputy president Syed Husin Ali nyanyuk or senile.

NONE Azmin who is expected to face-off with Zaid ( right ) in a two-man race for the deputy presidency, slammed the latter for his outburst, saying it is "shameful" to the party members and leadership.

Zaid was today quoted in the Malay section of FreeMalaysiaToday as calling Syed Husin senile for accusing the former of not being fully involved as Pakatan Rakyat coordinator when drafting the opposition coalition's formal policy.

"We cannot have new members offending senior leaders who have been tested in our struggle, unlike Zaid who does not understand the meaning of our struggle," Azmin told Malaysiakini .

"My advice to him is to look back at the Permatang Pauh declaration and understand its meaning. Don't be arrogant, don't act as if you know everything... stop the ego," he said, referring to party advisor Anwar Ibrahim's vision for Malaysia which he announced on Sept 12, 1998.

pkr pc 100408 azmin Azmin ( left ), who announced his plan to run for the party's number two seat after Syed Husin declared that he was stepping down , defended the outgoing deputy president's contributions, which he said was an inspiration for many young leaders, including Azmin himself.

"He has faced with many different challenges and tests that were far more difficult than what we are facing today. He was jailed for eight years for merely upholding the rights and justice for the people.

"He continued to soldier on in the struggle and for over a decade he has been with Keadilan... he is an asset to the party and our struggle," he said.

Azmin however pulled back a little on his punches, calling on all leaders and members to sort out their differences in the spirit of "family within the party".

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