PKR leaders locked in the ‘communal’ mindset are “not suitable” for a multi-racial political party and are better suited outside the party instead of being among its members.

Saying this today, the party’s communications chief Nik Nazmi Ahmad aimed his sights on PKR-turned-Independent parliamentarian N Gabalakrishnan, saying the latter had repeatedly accused PKR of sidelining the Indian community in its struggles.

“Similarly Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin had lashed out at PKR for abandoning the Malay community,” Nik Nazmi told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

“The conflicting accusations clearly show that these leaders are still trapped in a racist mentality,” he added.

Gobalakrishnan quit PKR last week following a protracted fallout with the party leadership after its internal elections last year. He, along with several other disgruntled members including Zaid Ibrahim, alleged that the party elections had been riddled with malpractices and fraud.

Gobalakrishnan, for his part, also criticised PKR for allegedly marginalising Indians from the party leadership.

Addressing Gobalkrishnan’s accusation that 90 percent of PKR’s leadership were Malays, Nik Nazmi said the numbers in relation to the party’s membership and top position tell another story.

“Of 371,612 of PKR’s members, Malays make up 45 percent, Chinese 11 percent, Indians 23 percent and bumiputeras from Sabah, Sarawak and others make up the remaining 21 percent,” said Nik Nazmi.

In terms of leadership, he added, PKR’s leaders are chosen on the basis of one-man-one vote, whereas PKR members clearly place capacity, ability and commitment to the struggle over considerations of race, he added.

“Thus, it is fitting that a leaders such as Gobala who is still stuck with the old mentality leave the party. The people will give their assessment of him in the coming general elections, while PKR as a political party that is multiracial and progressive will continue going forward.”

PAS or PKR for Merlimau?

On the Merlimau by-election, meanwhile, PKR strategic director Tian Chua said Pakatan leaders would meet during the Chinese New Year festivities to finalise their decision on whether to field a PAS or PKR candidate for the poll next month.

The opposition’s secretariat will either hold the meeting on Feb 3 or 4 once PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang are free to meet.

PKR Youth chief’s Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin had recently offered to contest the seat.

Shamsul, who hails from nearby Jasin and is also PKR’s Melaka state chief, had hinted that several state leaders had suggested that he contest the seat, slated for March 6.

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali had earlier stated that the majority of state party leaders want to retain the status quo with regards to which Pakatan party should contest.

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent BN’s Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hasan, 54, on Jan 20 from a heart ailment.

Merlimau is one of five state seats, the others being Sungai Rambai, Serkam, Bemban and Rim, located within the Jasin parliamentary constituency, a stronghold of the ruling coalition.