The Malaysian Insight

THE three-day PKR retreat held in Port Dickson since Friday was to review the party’s performance in its first year in office, not as a result of the sex video scandal, said party leaders, adding the event had been planned three months ago.

The Malaysian Insight also learnt that the closed-door event saw leaders urging the party to return to its original reform agenda and to ensure that changes were made for the people.

Nevertheless, the retreat has still drawn controversy after leaders aligned to party deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali failed to attend the get together.

Undeterred, party leaders signed a resolution re-affirming their support for president Anwar Ibrahim at the hotel in his parliamentary constituency.

A state representative said that the main message to take away was for the party to return to its original reform agenda.

“Think back to why this party was formed. We should not neglect that reform agenda.

“What is important is that the party must continue to flourish. That is our aim,” said a leader who declined to be named.

Another participant said the leaders reminded them the important role PKR had in government.

“There were some who were worried that although PKR has many ministers in the government, our reform agenda can’t be seen in government policies,” he said.

Participants were also reminded to maintain unity and discipline at all times.

“The support for the party must be fulsome, and it is time now for the party to start implementing its reform agenda,” said another participant from the youth wing.

At the end of the retreat today, 120 party faithful – comprising leaders of its central leadership council (MPP), MPs, assemblymen, senators and state leaders – signed a resolution endorsing Anwar’s leadership of the party.

At least 20 other leaders – includng Azmin, vice president Zuraidah Kamaruddin, PKR Wanita chief Haniza Talha and Sarawak chief Baru Bian – did not attend the retreat but Anwar said they would still sign the resolution later.

This came following Anwar’s public spat with deputy president Azman over the recent sex video scandal.

The party appeared to be heading for a split after Anwar and Azmin publicly crossed swords following the emergence of the video, in which Azmin had been implicated.

Former Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz had admitted to being one of the men in the video, naming Azmin as the other.

Haziq has since been sacked from the party.

Azmin has steadfastly denied any involvement, while police have tacitly affirmed his innocence by stating that they could not identify either man in the video.

This has not stopped them making 11 arrests, including Anwar’s political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, in connection with the case, mostly for distribution of obscene material.

Yesterday, Anwar made conciliatory remarks about the investigation after having earlier caused the rift, saying that Azmin should resign from his post if it was him in the video. – July 21, 2019.