PKR Congress 2005 There are 13 weaknesses which need to be worked on among 'a number' of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members, said its deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

Opening the party's Youth and Women's wings congress in Kuala Lumpur today, he said these problems must be addressed before they spread, weaken and destroy the party.

"(This is) my observation and experience regarding some of the weaknesses. They can be accepted or rejected after a detailed discussion. Most importantly, all the identified weaknesses should be overcome," he told the1,000-odd audience.

The problems, the reverse of which could well turn into the deputy president's '13 commandments' to improve the party, were:

- Punctuality, coming late for meetings or activities, sometimes without reason or apology.

- Failing to honour promises and showing a tendency to give excuses and sometimes not telling the truth, and consequently causing programmes or plans to be derailed.

- Irresponsibility, failing to carry out duties assigned after being elected as leaders, especially in matters where money is involved.

- Ego, arrogance and bad-temper after being elected as leaders, causing unhappiness and creating division in the party.

- Not serious about work, lacking discipline and dedication in carrying out duties as members or leaders of the party.

- Not well-disposed to solving problems face-to-face or through discussions but instead preferring to spread lies, back-stabbing and pulling people down unfairly, harbouring vengeful feelings even after solutions have been achieved through discussion.

- Tendency to be exclusive, factional and encouraging cliques among a small circle considered to be like-minded, and thus willing to let positions stay vacant, even though there are capable and qualified candidates to fill the vacancies.

- Reluctance to hold meetings and discussions democratically involving most or all committee members, to plan and carry out activities and displaying a preference to act autocratically by involving only clique members.

- Dislike to be corrected or criticised, even though they criticise others freely, and always avoiding criticism and self-criticism in order to improve and strengthen the party.

- Weak fraternal relationship among members and between members and leaders, due to lack of discussions and activities that could create strong mutual understanding.

- Some dormant branches, divisions and even states fail to hold meetings as well as activities within the party and among the people, and are poor in top to bottom relations and vice versa.

- Absence or shortage of funding for personnel and activities and lack of full-time activists to ensure close relationship at all levels of the party and to run daily administration as well as implement activities already decided on.

- Lack of clear understanding or common stand on current issues, as party statements and speeches are not well disseminated to the lower levels and insufficient internalisation of the party policies and struggle due to shortage of courses and trainings to understand them.

Honest analysis

Elaborating, Syed Husin said some of the weaknesses were more apparent than the strengths in certain states and divisions.

He revealed that the party has adopted a strategic document, which outlines specific plans of action to empower the party in the next three years.

To build a party that is united, disciplined and organised, he expressed hope that the two wings will spearhead the movement for change.

"Even though due to the change in the political situation and environment, actions a la reformasi have changed and the movement has somewhat weakened, nevertheless I believe the spirit for reform is still strong, although in different form and direction," he said.

Commenting on the opening speech, several PKR leaders agreed with the problems mentioned by the deputy president.

Youth information chief Latheefa Koya said Syed Husin's speech came at the right time as the party needs the right attitude.

"This is the most relevant speech, obviously he is in touch with the party and it's not a rambling speech," she added when met at the sidelines of the congress.

Youth deputy chief Faizal Sanusi said the speech should serve as a "wake up call" for the wing.

"It's a frank and honest analysis from Dr Syed, we have to look into it and rectify the weaknesses to make the movement well-equipped," he said

Wanita exco member Noorsham Abu Samah said Syed Husin's views must be taken in a positive spirit.