PKR vice-president Azmin Ali has brushed aside several allegations leveled against him by close friend-turned-foe Ezam Mohd Nor who has quit the opposition party.

"The speculation (about Ezam quitting) has been there over the past five years, this is nothing new. It is not a surprise at all," Azmin told malaysiakini when contacted in Jakarta yesterday.

"I used to be very close to him, I know his game plan. This (development) only proves that the speculation has turned out to be true."

However, he declined to elaborate on the 'game plan'.

Ezam, 40, who has been with the party since its inception in 1999, confirmed yesterday that he had quit the party on April 4, citing differences with Azmin and political mentor Anwar Ibrahim.

The former PKR Youth chief also accused Anwar - now de facto party leader - of being a "weak dictator" and alleged he was being "controlled" by Azmin.

He cited several incidents linked to the PKR elections last month to substantiate this, including claiming that Azmin was behind a move to stop Anwar from contesting the top post at the eleventh hour.

Joint decision

Azmin refused to be drawn into Ezam's claims when asked for a response.

"He can say what he wants since he has to say something to justify his reason for quitting the party," said Azmin, who holds the influential position of party election director.

"The decision (by Anwar to pull out of the presidency race) was reached at the supreme council meeting. One must respect the wisdom of party leaders."

Quizzed on his stand on Anwar's candidacy during the meeting, Azmin said this is "not important" now.

"I am just one of the supreme council members," he stressed.

On other allegations by Ezam ( photo ) - including the claim he is "controlling" Anwar - Azmin said the onus is on the accuser to prove his claims.

Asked about Ezam's decision to quit the party, Azmin reiterated it is part of the democratic process and that he respects any individual's decision to join or leave the party.

"There are many other members who still subscribe to the party's principles and cause, and we are getting stronger," he argued.

Prior to Anwar's sacking as deputy premier in 1998, Azmin served as his private secretary, while Ezam was the political secretary.

The duo had openly locked horns in the run-up to the PKR elections when Azmin had signalled his intention to run for deputy president, but Ezam wanted the status quo maintained.

Anwar's message

Anwar could not be reached for comment as he is currently in Europe, his aide Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said yesterday. He will return to Malaysia at the end of the week

In a brief message posted on his weblog last evening, Anwar said he has been repeatedly asked about the issue of party leaders and members leaving the party of late and about "frictions" in the party.

Without naming any individual, Anwar wrote he would not answer the criticism of his colleagues openly but conceded he has "weakness and limitations".

"There is a perception that with my presence at the forefront of local politics, I will be able to solve all the problems whether they are politics, business or finances," he wrote.

"There are thousands who have sacrificed and fought for me, my family and the struggle. They have the right to make demands but sometime, these demands came in the form of threats.

"(However) I am grateful there are tens of thousands of others who do not want anything except being loyal to the struggle."