PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin has rebutted claims that incumbent deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and his allies had in the past tried to stifle the formation of Pakatan Harapan.
Responding to PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Afif said the claim was misleading, grossly inaccurate and omitted important facts.
Afif said Azmin and other leaders only sought more consultation before the formation of Harapan, adding that PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, who was in prison at the time, also expressed similar sentiments.
"Nik Nazmi omits to say that this was also Anwar's opinion at that time.
"In a note that was brought out by Anwar's counsels N Surendran and Latheefa Koya from prison, Anwar asked the leadership 'not to rush into the announcement of the new coalition' but to be more 'inclusive' and engage all parties, including key NGO's and personalities.
"It was not to block the formation of Harapan, but to arrive at a collective decision made by the party leadership and to create the widest and strongest possible coalition against BN," he said.
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Afif said Anwar's note was delivered on Sept 21, 2015, but the formation of Harapan was announced the next day regardless.
He also noted that he was appalled by Nik Nazmi making statements about PKR's internal affairs public, and was compelled to respond to set the record straight.
Afif also rebutted Nik Nazmi's claim that Azmin and his allies had tried to hinder the naming of Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Harapan's prime ministerial candidate, calling it "untrue."
He said that it was with the help of Azmin and other leaders that Anwar's lawyers were able to set up a meeting between Mahathir and a still imprisoned Anwar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Sept 5, 2016.
"Nik Nazmi should get his facts right before misleading the public in this manner.
"Finally, it is highly improper for any leaders to make public attacks on opponents in what is a party election as has been repeatedly done by the faction that is contesting against Azmin," he said.
