The Malaysian Insight

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today revealed that he had tried his best to ensure his colleague Mohamed Azmin Ali attended the party retreat in Port Dickson.

However, he said he was told Azmin, party deputy president, had prior commitments and could not attend.

“I contacted his secretary and his aides, and tried my best to convince him to attend but everything failed,” Saifuddin said.

“I last tried on Friday and I spoke to his secretary.

“I have tried my best, gave enough notice, contacted his office but he had others commitments,” he told reporters at the end of the retreat today.

Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali was supposed to deliver a speech on the second day of the retreat but was a no-show for the event.

Azmin’s political secretary Hilman Idham merely said “not attending” when asked by The Malaysian Insight.

Yesterday, party president Anwar Ibrahim said he had anticipated Azmin’s absence.

Anwar sounded disappointed that his deputy did not come and address party members after he had earlier in the day made conciliatory remarks about the sex video scandal that had embroiled Azmin and become the root of the most recent dispute.

Azmin and Anwar had an exchange of words after Anwar suggested Azmin quit the government if it was proven that Azmin was indeed in the video.

In reaction to Anwar’s conciliatory remarks, Azmin yesterday tweeted to say that he took note of Anwar’s acceptance of police findings.

The party No. 2 said he also noted the party leadership’s intent to take action against members found to be involved in circulating the video. – July 21, 2019.