Despite problems, PKR says common hatred for BN will hold party together

By Neville Spykerman | Malaysianinsider

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7- PKR secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim today brushed aside recent squabbles in the party, and said a common hatred for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and race politics, are the bond that is holding the party together.

He told The Malaysian Insider that the party's 500,000 strong membership was steadily increasing and contrary to press reports, he denied PKR was plagued with problems.

Salehuddin said that there is tremendous interest in the party especially in Sabah and Sarawak, which has been identified as its new beach head.

"I tell you what qualifies as a plague; money politics in Umno and the subversion of public opinion by the government in power, using tactics not available to others."

Salehuddin described recent controversies involving party leaders in Selangor and Perak as differences of opinions which were not a breach of discipline until it is expressed in bad faith."Then it will be dealt with in accordance to our constitution."

Salehuddin said there was no problem with local elections to appoint village heads, by PKR's national vice-president and Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye and Simpang Pulai state assemblyman Chang Ming Kai, in Perak recently. He said the move was just an expression of preference in a political process.

Salehuddin said S.Manikavasagam may sound like a dissenting voice, but he said the Kapar MP has yet to raise the matter in a proper forum, in the party. "Until he does, the only people wildly interested would be those who do not know how to reinvent their own organisation and therefore look forward to other parties cracking up."

Salehuddin said the multi-racial party's membership roughly reflect the racial demographics of Malaysia. He rejected the description that PKR was a party of dissidents, with disgruntled politicians from other parties, and members with different ideologies. "Dynamism and vibrancy is sometimes wrongly equated with that description."

Sri Setia Assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad described PKR as a "Rainbow Coalition' comprising various groups including common Malaysians, striving for change. Nik Nazmi, who is also the political secretary to the Selangor Menteri Besar, said the party born in 1998 during the Reformasi movement, has evolved into the biggest opposition party in Parliament.

He said a broad spectrum of opinions are represented in the party and there are bound to be conflicts.However he said the party had survived many challenges during its 10 year existence and differences of opinions between leaders are nothing new."Over the years, some leaders have left us but the party is still intact."

PKR Information chief and Batu MP Tian Chua said recent press reports about friction in the party were blown out of proportion by the main stream media and manufactured as a diversion to the upcoming Kuala Terengganu by-election.He said Manikavasagam's dissatisfaction with the relocation of the Klang bus terminal, was 'made' into an Indian issue by the media, when the move would have affected all races.

He said differences of opinions within the party were healthy and part of the democratic process.