The Malaysian Insight

AZMIN Ali today slammed his detractors for questioning his loyalty to PKR, saying he had been committed to the Reformasi cause from day one in 1998.

The PKR deputy president said his track record  was proof of his loyalty to the party and president elect Anwar Ibrahim. 

“It is a struggle that began in 1998. I’m not boasting. I’m stating the fact of my loyalty to Anwar and the party struggle,” Azmin said at the opening of the Perak PKR general assembly in Ipoh, this morning.

The Gombak MP said he was even arrested before Anwar, at the height of the Reformasi movement 

“I was the first one arrested and shamed. I was humiliated.

“My family was broken, it still is, but I am still loyal to Anwar,” said Azmin, who is the Economic Affairs Minister, to applause.

Azmin and PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli are fighting for the party’s deputy president post in the party polls. Until now, Azmin has maintained silence despite Team Rafizi’s provocation, which has included accusing Azmin of treachery and betrayal.

Azmin today said he had kept silent as he had bigger problems to worry about.

“I have a job. I’m not jobless. There are lots of things to do in my ministry. I don’t just shout. There are those who are jealous of me,” he said.

This was an apparent reference to Rafizi, who had said that he could devote all his time to PKR as he was unemployed when declaring his candidacy.

“I am jobless but that’s okay. I am in the best position to contest. I can’t offer anything more than my dedication to our ideals of forming the party,” Rafizi had said.

Azmin said it was unnecessary for him to campaign for the post as his track record spoke for itself.

“Why do I need to campaign? I’ve been here for 20 years, you all know me well. You’ve been seeing my face for 20 years,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Wanita chief hopeful Fuziah Salleh, incumbent Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen are among those batting for Rafizi.

While Team Rafizi has based its campaign on “20 years of Reformasi”, Azmin said today it was time to usher in a new era of reform.

“This is Phase 2 of  Reformasi. It is not about protesting and shouting. We have already won power, the people have given us the mandate, he said,

Now that PKR was in a position to fulfil its promises, Azmin said, “it is time for us to do our jobs.”

The Gombak MP said he fully believed in Anwar’s ability to lead the party and the country.

“I believe the leadership of Anwar will bring PKR forward. We are the biggest bloc in PH.” – August 26, 2018.