PKR president Anwar Ibrahim held discussions with divisional leaders for about a month before he appointed the state chiefs, said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said this was in line with the party’s constitution, which states that the president must hold discussions with divisional leaders first.

“So did he (Anwar) discuss it first? Yes. With all division leaders? Yes. From Perlis to Sabah? Yes.

“If others still dispute it, it will turn messy. If everyone respects the decision, it will be a relief. There will be no problem and there is no need for any revival plans as every (condition) has been fulfilled,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution, who is also the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, spoke to reporters after presenting certificates for the Traders Transformation Programme at the ministry here today.

Former PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya had earlier slammed the party, claiming there was cronyism and nepotism in the appointment of party state chiefs, including that of Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah as the Penang chief.

On Monday, Nurul announced her resignation as PKR vice-president and the party’s Penang chief.

On the same day, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim also quit as the party’s Johor chief.

Saifuddin explained that Anwar had no choice but to appoint Nurul after all 13 division leaders in Penang strongly supported her.

“It would be good if she (Nurul Izzah) changes her mind. If not, I believe the president will conduct a review but for now Nurul Izzah is sticking with her decision and it’s the same in Johor,” he said.

Asked if PKR had received any new membership application from Umno members, he replied: “None so far.”

Recently, six Umno MPs quit the party to become Independent representatives. They were Rosol Wahid (Terengganu), Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam) and Latiff Ahmad (Mersing).

On Dec 12, almost the entire leadership line-up from Sabah Umno, which included five MPs, nine state assemblypersons and two senators, announced their departure from the party.

- Bernama