Incumbent PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has refuted the PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution's assertion that PKR is a Malay-based party.
 
"No, PKR has never been a Malay-based party," Azmin told a press conference at the PKR headquarters this morning.
 
"PKR has a huge responsibility to ensure a new political culture is brought into he Malaysian political system that is comprised of various races and religions," he added.
 
Azmin was responding to Saifuddin's interview published by NST on Friday where he said it is a the reality that PKR is a Malay-based party.
 
Saifuddin who is challenging Azmin for deputy president, had said this in response to a question about PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli's concern on the racial composition of Saifuddin's running mates.
 
On Tuesday, it was announced Saifuddin, Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar were forming a pact for the PKR election.

Pakatan to discuss about hudud, again
 
Azmin also denied reports the that a "third force" was emerging comprising of Indians because they were apparently sidelined.
 
"In PKR, we celebrate all races... even on this stage all races are represented," he said in reference to his supporters flanking him.
 
Asked to comment about reports that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang will be tabling a private members bill in Parliament to remove hurdles at the federal level for the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan, Azmin said he hoped Pakatan Rakyat will be consulted.
 
"I do not want to speculate on this bill because it has not been presented but I am sure it will be discussed in the next (Pakatan) presidential council meeting.
 
"If there are any new move then certainly PAS will come back to Pakatan Rakyat to discuss," he said.
 
Asked if Pakatan coalition partners were caught off guard by PAS's plan, he replied: "Let us discuss first".
 
He added that Pakatan's stance, decided by its presidential council's in 2011, has not changed since.
 
After extensive discussions in 2011, the council did not give an authoritative decision but instead agreed to disagree on the matter.