PRESS STATEMENT 1 October 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

1 October 2010

Is Zaid being marginalised in PKR?

PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye's statement against fellow leader Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was played up by all the mainstream media today. The New Straits Times even used it as the main news today, all in an attempt to undermine our party and our efforts to Putrajaya.

What was the reason for Lee to issue such a statement in the first place? Was he trying to portray himself as PKR's champion with the statement or was he instructed by someone to continue the attacks on Zaid?

This is not the first 'anti-Zaid' statement that has come from the party leaders. Even the party's communications directors Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has opted to take sides in joining the attacks against Zaid Ibrahim, thus belittling his position which warrants that he remains neutral.

And then we had the deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali joining the fray. After that vice-president R Sivarasa, Wanita Chief Zuraida Kamaruddin and party strategist Tian Chua have also continued with the attacks.

Strangely all these leaders spoke to the media about this. Why is Lee now criticising Zaid for giving interviews to the media?

It is quite clear that Zaid is being continuously marginalised in the party. The various incidents during PKR cabang elections around the country in the past two weeks will show that the 'anti-Zaid' sentiment is being put in place by someone high-up in the party.

The question is who is responsible for this? Judging by the statements coming out from our very own leaders, including the Ketua Umum who warned of Trojan horses in the party, I can only conclude that these people are all in one group – the group which wants Azmin to defeat Zaid for the deputy's post.

Am I wrong in making this assumption? Based on what's happening in the party, I don't think so. I am starting to believe the stories about the Azmin cartel now.

It will be a sad day for the party if we have to forget our aims and principles, all to ensure Azmin is given a free ride to the top post. I hope not to see that day. Let's allow PKR to remain free and independent.

N Gobalakrishnan

Tel: 016-537 3737