Trojan horses and Evelyn Salt in PKR?

PKR’s direct elections have opened the party’s doors for a host of Trojan horses to infiltrate the party with the sole intention of wreaking havoc, claims party treasurer William Leong.

Drawing analogies from the Hollywood spy thriller hit Salt , Leong ( right ) said the infiltrators were busy spreading disinformation, sowing dissent and creating discord.

“Is Evelyn Salt the persons who assaulted the members in the division meetings, attacked reporters and destroyed the ballot boxes? No! There is a method to the madness.

“The goons and louts were agent provocateurs. The party disciplinary committee will take appropriate action against them. They were instigated by Evelyn Salt,” wrote Leong, in a lengthy email article.

The movie Salt sees Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie portraying a Russian sleeper agent operating in the USA in a tale of subterfuge and deceit.

Unfounded claims

Leong raised the question of whether ‘Evelyn Salt’ in PKR was its former deputy secretary-general P Jenapala, who made several damaging claims about the party’s divisional elections.

Describing him as a “gadfly like Socrates in ancient Athens”, Leong said Jenapala ( right ) had made numerous unfounded allegations, such as claims that 800 illegal immigrant voted in the Kudat divisional elections.

“Records confirmed that only 268 members attended and voted. The claim of 800 illegal immigrants voting is false and a complete fabrication,” said Leong.

Leong also debunked Jenapala’s claims that he was still a party member and thus qualified to contest in the party elections.

“He had been sacked more than a year before for forming a new political party... He has further admitted that he is an undischarged bankrupt, who cannot take part in party polls (according to the Societies Act 1966).

“In any event, the Official Assignee will be interested to find out how an undischarged bankrupt is able to afford holding a press conference at a hotel,” wrote Leong.

Did Jenapala write his own statements?

Raising more questions about Jenapala’s motives, Leong implied that the press statement issued by the former may not have been authored by himself.

“Students having difficulty in learning Science and Mathematics in English should ask Jenapala for tips as to how he improved his English overnight.

“He not only spoke the Queen’s English, but used verses that will turn William Shakespeare green with envy when he read out the prepared text at the press conference,” he said.

Leong also warns that the ‘Evelyn Salt’ was waging a propaganda and media war against the party and certain party leaders through proxies.

“The candidates cannot adopt a slash and burn tactic in an internal party election. Such candidates even if they win will end up with pyrrhic victories.

“None of the candidates is Evelyn Salt but some may have been provoked and baited by Evelyn Salt to embark on a misguided scorched earth strategy,” he said.

Direct election the way to go

 

Despite the setbacks, Leong insist that the inaugural direct elections adopted by the party was the way forward as it will allow the election of leaders who are forced to adopt more responsive policies.

He stresses that PKR aims to correct the disconnect between the public and political leaders by allowing its members, ranging from students to housewives, to have a part in the country’s political process.

In comparison, Leong points out ordinary Umno have no control over who leads its party and eventually become prime minister.

“(But in PKR), every Malaysian who is a member of the party has a right to vote for its president... Ordinary citizens will be active participants in determining the direction and policies of the nation,” he said.