Anwar: We Have To Improve!

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim admitted that there are flawed characters in PKR following the resignation of Lunas state assembly representative Mohd Radzhi Salleh.

“In all humility I must concede that given the circumstances during the last election… we had to rush through the names and probably there was some flaws in terms to filtering process,” said Anwar.

He said this when asked why such incidences consistently kept cropping up within PKR.

“We have to improve to make sure that candidates must be of good if not impeccable credentials and loyal to the party and the struggle,” he added.

Only in February, Pakatan lost its majority in the Perak state assembly and the state was in chaos after two PKR and one DAP state assembly representatives quit their respective parties and declared themselves BN-friendly independents.

They trio – Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering) and former deputy speaker Hee Yit Fong (Jelapang) – then pledged their support to BN.

Anwar who attended a buka puasa function at a surau in Kampung Paya in Permatang Pasir today, said that they have been having problems with Radzhi for the past several months.

“There were discipline problems, financial issues and (he had also) made excess claims on funds… at that time he was also being investigated by the MACC, but now there might not be any investigations as he is no longer in PKR,” said Anwar.

Warning after complains from fourth wife

He also revealed that the party had received information that Radzhi was engaged in talks with former Kedah BN Menteri Besar Mahdzir Khalid.

“That was when I raised the issue in parliament on the effort to bribe our representatives,” said Anwar.

The Pakatan leader, who was also accompanied by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, added that Radzhi was also facing personal issues.

“We received several complaints from his fourth wife, who has now dragged him to court… that was when the party had issue a stern warning to him,” said Anwar.

He added that the state liaison meeting last week decided to suspend the Padang Serai PKR division which includes Lunas.

“We have also received reports of several state assembly representatives that the Lunas assemblyperson has been asking them to crossover to Umno,” said Anwar.

That was the reason why Kedah PKR chief Ahmad Kassim said it was best Radzhi resigns as a state assemblyperson, he added.

“We took action, just like the way we raised the issues related to (Permatang Pasir BN by-election candidate) Rohaizat Othman… we are consistent and that is why we took action.”

Salleh to take over Islamic Religious Council?

Rohaizat was disbarred from law practise after he was found guilty of misconduct involving RM161,000 owed to Koperasi Pekebun Getah Negeri Pulau Pinang Berhad.

Pakatan’s campaign in Permatang Pasir has been based on Rohaizat’s marred reputation and that he is not trustworthy.

Meanwhile, Anwar said that if PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man (left) wins the majority in the by-election, he would be recommended to replace Shabudin Yahya (Permatang Beranang-BN) as the Penang Islamic Religious Council president.

Although, DAP had taken over the state’s administration from BN’s Gerakan, the post has been occupied by Shabudin since before the general election last year and the appointment was made by the Agong.

“At this moment although Pakatan has been in power for one and half years the post is still helmed by Shabudin.

“In normal cases the shift happens in the beginning but we decided to wait until his tenure comes to an end in the coming months before the transition takes place,” said Anwar.

He also made the announcement that Aug 25 will not be declared a public holiday, but appealed to employers to allow their employees to take time off to vote.

Malaysiakini
24/08/09

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