PKR leader slams 'bootlickers' for silencing internal criticism

Summary

• Tuaran PKR chief Razeef Rakimin criticises party members who attacked nine PKR MPs for raising concerns about alleged judicial interference, calling such critics “bootlickers”.

• He defends the MPs who called for an RCI, saying internal criticism is vital for checks and balances, especially with a weak opposition.

• He warns against dismissing or discouraging internal dissent, arguing it makes the government appear intolerant and filled with sycophantic leaders.

A PKR division leader slammed party lawmakers who reprimanded their colleagues for criticising the government.

Tuaran PKR chief Razeef Rakimin called those within the ruling party who disagree with criticisms coming from within “bootlickers”.

In a statement today, he said the nine party MPs who expressed concern over recent allegations concerning the judiciary were performing as a check and balance, as the opposition was “non-functional”.

“Reprimands from government MPs should be welcomed openly, and explanations should be given on the issues raised.

“I do not see these reprimands as interfering with the government’s demands, but rather making the government more sensitive to the views and wishes of the people.

“I would like to reprimand several leaders… to evaluate the criticisms of any leader in the government before ‘quitting’. It will only make it seem as if today’s government is a government with many ‘scumbag’ and ‘bootlicker’ leaders,” he said.

Razeef (above) added that dismissing criticism risks making the government appear arrogant and disconnected from its founding principles.

Free speech

Earlier today, Bernama reported PKR vice-president R Ramanan as telling party leaders not to abuse the party’s right to freedom of speech by throwing around slander and accusations.

Former PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also assured that the party MPs who spoke up on concerns of judicial interference have not negatively impacted the party or the government.

PKR has received even “harsher” criticisms than what Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and eight party backbenchers brought forward, he said.

Yesterday, Rafizi led eight other PKR MPs in a joint statement, in which they called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe recent allegations linked to the functions of the Judicial Appointment Commission (JAC).

They expressed concerns that a new judicial appointments scandal is shaping up based on allegations that the government did not act on the JAC’s proposed candidates, which had been submitted prior to Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s retirement as the chief justice.

They were also alarmed by claims that the JAC was summoned for an urgent meeting in violation of the 10-day notice rule to propose new candidates for the vacancies.

Another issue they were concerned about pertained to allegations that the JAC had previously questioned a Federal Court judge over claims of judicial interference.

This led to various quarters backing the call for an RCI.

Members of the opposition also called for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take a temporary leave during the RCI probe.

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