AS AZMIN ‘CARTEL’ ROLLS OUT YET ANOTHER TEARJERKER, AMBIGA FIRES AWAY: STOP THE NONSENSE, OTHER PARTIES TOO HAVE PROBLEMS BUT DO THEY BEHAVE AS STUPIDLY & AS SELFISHLY AS YOU?

National Human Rights Society (Hakam) chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan has criticised PKR over the crisis concerning its candidates for the coming general election.

“When the rakyat is doing everything in their power to overcome obstacles to ensure they can vote and to help in the elections, this nonsense in PKR is unforgivable,” she said in a Twitter posting.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later today, Ambiga said Malaysians nationwide, and even those abroad were doing their utmost to overcome the obstacles to ensure they can cast their vote on May 9.

“Malaysians are helping fellow Malaysians in so many ways for GE14. We are seeing an unprecedented wave of commitment to ensuring the elections are not stolen from us,” she added.

Against this backdrop, the former Bar Council chairperson said it was disappointing and unacceptable to see PKR engaging in a public spat over internal politics.

“I am certain that the other parties have their own share of problems but they somehow manage to hold it together for the sake of the people.

“PKR stands out in not being able to do that,” she added.

Ambiga revealed she had received numerous calls and messages expressing disappointment over the situation, especially with the nomination of candidates and polls around the corner.

Ambiga: Cool heads must prevail

“As it is not a single candidate from PKR has been announced, thus depriving them of valuable time with their constituents,” she added.

Calling for a swift resolution to the impasse, Ambiga emphasised that cool heads and statesmanlike leadership must prevail at this critical juncture.

“It is the PKR logo that is to be used in the elections. More the reason that they themselves should do justice to the confidence placed in that logo.

“I urge all parties to consider the nation and the will of the people above all,” she added.

The crisis in PKR erupted following the move to drop several names proposed as candidates for Selangor.

According to reports, these names, which included PKR vice-president Tian Chua, had received the blessings of deputy president and caretaker Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali.

It was also speculated that the crisis stemmed from the protracted tussle between the camps led by Azmin and PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli respectively.

During a press conference yesterday, Tian Chua singled out party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“I only urge that at the last minute, our leaders must be very careful not to drop or put people in (the candidates’ list) just to accommodate lobbying from various factions.

“We have a heavy burden on our shoulders and people want to see PKR fulfil the wishes of the people and not be seen as a party that accommodates factional interests.

“I am still hopeful, and I believe that our leaders Anwar and Wan Azizah have the strength to withstand pressure so that we can keep the party united to face the election,” Tian Chua had added.

Nomination day for the general election, which has been dubbed the mother of polls, is this Saturday.

Amid tears, PKR rep claims she might be dropped due to poison-pen letter

PKR’s two-term incumbent Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei has claimed she might be dropped as a candidate for the coming general election due to a poison-pen letter.

The letter had accused her of misusing the allocation for her constituency.

Unable to hold back tears, Gan said the letter was sent to the party leadership and she was not given a chance to defend herself.

She believes that the poison-pen letter originated from someone in PKR, but did not mention names.

“Perhaps the letter was by those who want to contest in Rawang, and they backstabbed me,” she told a press conference in Rawang this morning.

Gan said she would lodge herself lodge a report with MACC and supply the necessary evidence to clear her name.

“I have spent my youth working for this constituency. If today, they are dropping me because of unfounded allegations, I cannot accept it.

“Today, I ask to have my name cleared. The allegations do not just hurt me personally but my family as well.”

Gan, who was a former aide to PKR vice-president Tian Chua, also spoke about a recent accusation that she had failed to service her constituents due to maternity leave which began two months ago.

“This is oppression of female politicians. Why do I have to face such accusations? It was in a way where I could not respond. Suddenly, my name was then removed,” she said, in between her sobs.

Several Rawang PKR grassroots members who were present decried the apparent attempt to drop Gan as a candidate and hoped the matter would be resolved by the party’s leadership.

One of her supporters said the local PKR leaders will approach the national leadership later today to state their case for Gan’s candidacy.

At the age of 27, Gan scored a major upset against her MCA opponent after a notably frugal campaign in 2008. She retained the seat in 2013 with a higher majority.

MKINI

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