Azmin and supporters make their stand at venue of PKR's founding
PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and his supporters tonight sought to make a strong statement against his critics as they gathered at the very venue that led to the founding of Parti Keadilan Nasional 20 years ago, the predecessor of PKR.
The gathering tonight came hours after Azmin’s supporters snubbed the last day of the PKR congress which was closed by party president Anwar Ibrahim in Malacca...
PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and his supporters tonight sought to make a strong statement against his critics as they gathered at the very venue that led to the founding of Parti Keadilan Nasional 20 years ago, the predecessor of PKR.
The gathering tonight came hours after Azmin’s supporters snubbed the last day of the PKR congress which was closed by party president Anwar Ibrahim in Malacca.
Some 2,000 people showed up at the "appreciation dinner" at Renaissance hotel in Kuala Lumpur tonight. Organisers put the crowd estimate at 5,000 people.
"Tian Chua and I stood in this hall in 1999. PKR Wanita's Zuraida (Kamaruddin) also stood in this hall so did R Sivarasa. Many stood in this hall (at that time).
"But 20 years later, on Dec 7, 2019, I am labelled a traitor," he said in reference to Anwar's tale of treachery, borrowed from Malacca's history, which was used as an apparent subtle swipe at Azmin yesterday.
The folklore had led to a walkout from Azmin's supporters yesterday, who also snubbed the congress today.
Azmin, who received a rockstar welcome, reiterated that PKR belonged to the people.
"PKR was not founded by one man or one family, it was founded by the people," he said.
Anwar had said the folklore he used was not intended to offend anyone but Azmin was unconvinced.
"If we want to look at history, there are 1,001 history (stories). Why choose history that can split the party?" he said.
Azmin also criticised the selection of speakers at the PKR congress whom he claimed were more focused on factional issues.
"You witnessed it yourselves yesterday. There was nothing about housing, jobs, the economy or education," he said.
Azmin also took a swipe at Anwar's political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, accusing the Perak PKR chief of being among those who only recently joined the struggle but dared to challenge him.
He further warned his critics, saying they "do not know Azmin Ali" and his loyalty to the party.
Azmin also praised PKR vice-president Tian Chua who had remained and spoken at the party’s national congress in Malacca earlier today.
“If this (Tian Chua) is the face of the original fighters of PKR who have stayed in PKR, this party has a future and we will bring change that is honest and sincere for the people’s sake and not our own.
“We are birth leaders, not bootlickers," he stressed.
Other PKR leaders present tonight include central committee leaders Zuraida Kamaruddin, Sivarasa Rasiah, Rashid Hasnon, Amiruddin Shaari and PKR Wanita leader Haniza Talha.
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