BN reps absent at PKR Youth, Women's congress openings

Summary

• BN leaders are conspicuously absent from the opening of the PKR Youth and Women’s national congresses this morning.

• Outgoing PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim confirms that invitations were sent, saying maybe BN leaders had other commitments.

• Outgoing Women chief Fadhlina Sidek says it’s not an issue as BN leaders will attend the party’s main national congress opening tonight.

While Pakatan Harapan component leaders and a delegation from Indonesian political parties were present at the PKR Youth and Women’s national congress openings this morning, conspicuously missing were BN representatives.

Outgoing PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim and outgoing Women chief Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that invitations were extended to BN leaders, despite their absence.

“We invited (them), maybe they have other commitments,” Adam told reporters after delivering his policy speech at the Berjaya Waterfront Hotel.

Among the international observers attending the PKR Youth congress were representatives from Indonesia’s Nasdem (Nasional Demokrat) and Golkar parties.

At a separate venue for the women’s wing, Fadhlina said BN leaders were instead expected to attend the main PKR national congress opening ceremony tonight, officiated by party president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Persada International Convention Centre.

“We invited everyone, there’s no issue. But they will be attending the opening night of the national congress,” she said.

Fadhlina, who is also the education minister, added that special invitations for tonight’s event were sent to top Madani government leaders and foreign embassy representatives.

“Tonight’s guests are all from the Madani government leadership, and also from the embassies. These are our usual guests. They have always supported us in terms of stability.

“Hopefully, their presence will continue to reflect strong and unwavering support for the party president and also the prime minister,” she said.

When contacted, a senior aide to BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Umno president and deputy prime minister is not scheduled to attend the event.

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