PKR may shut its door on KJ to preserve govt

When Khairy Jamaluddin was axed from Umno, many following politics believed PKR would be the natural next destination for the former health minister.

However, PKR's need to keep Umno in the coalition government may weigh heavily on any decision to allow Khairy or any other axed or suspended Umno leaders into the party - should they apply.

"If there are (any applications), we will review it, and we will get the opinions of the leaders and also safeguard peace and order, as well as the unity government,” PKR president Anwar Ibrahim told reporters in Tambun, Perak, today.

On Friday, Umno sacked Khairy (above, right) and Noh Omar for alleged disciplinary infractions during the 15th general election.

The party also suspended several others including Khairy's protege Shahril Hamdan Sufian, and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein.

Those axed and suspended, as well as Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob who was present when the Umno supreme council deliberated the sackings, alleged that there was no due process followed.

Critics have viewed the move as Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's attempt to expel rivals and strengthen his grip on the party.

Khairy had been gunning for the Umno presidency in the upcoming party polls.

BN key component in govt

Umno and BN - which has 30 MPs including Hishamuddin - is a key component in Anwar's coalition government, with Zahid serving as deputy prime minister.

While Anwar will still have enough lawmakers - 118 - to form a majority should Zahid be aggravated enough to pull BN out of the government, it could be the beginning of the end for his premiership.

BN's presence was vital in Anwar securing support from Sarawak's GPS and Sabah's GRS, and its exit may cause the eastern bloc to bolt.

Meanwhile, echoing Anwar, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the party would not make decisions that would compromise the principles of "trust and respect" among parties in the coalition government.

"Until now there have been no applications (from them to join PKR). But the party's considerations (on the matter) will take into account several factors.

"The most important is to maintain unity and strength within the unity government. This government is built on the principles of trust and respect.

"Any action that would compromise that principle will definitely not be taken by PKR," he told Malaysiakini.

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