Friday May 30, 2008
Ezam: I’m back because of PM’s commitment to bringing reform
By MANJIT KAUR
Former PKR Youth leader back in Umno
PETALING JAYA: Ezam Mohd Nor is back in Umno because of party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's commitment to bringing change and reform.
The former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth leader said he wanted to show his support and commitment, and therefore joined hands with Abdullah and other leaders to continue with their struggles to fight graft and bribery.
Ezam denied that he had made a comeback because he was offered “carrots” or positions in the party.
Back in the fold: Ezam (seated, second from left) posing with (standing, from left) Nazmi, Khairul Anuar, Azwandeein and Ahmad Daud, and S.D. Johari (seated, right). With them are Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) chief Datuk K.S. Nallakarupan (seated, second from right) and former PKR Youth secretary Hamdan Tahar (seated, left) who joined Umno in 2004. “If 'carrot' is the consideration, I have been offered many and bigger 'carrots' before,” he told a press conference at a hotel here yesterday.
“I am joining Umno as you all know when it is not in the strongest position, as I have been offered 'carrots' by Umno in their strongest positions before.
“So positions or 'carrots' are never my considerations at all, and my decision is purely based on my convictions, and my convictions are for reform.”
Joining him were former Kedah PKR youth chief Khairul Anuar Ramli, former Perlis PKR youth chief Ahmad Daud Ghani, former PKR youth exco member Azwandeein Hamzah, former PKR Selangor secretary S.D. Johari Yasin and former Selangor PKR state liaison youth secretary Nazmi Rosli.
Former Permatang Pauh youth chief Annuar Shaari, who was also private secretary to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to hand his application form to join Umno to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Parliament.
Ezam added that corruption was the number one challenge to the country.
“The Prime Minister has brought changes to the judiciary and Anti-Corruption Agency in a short period, and we cannot expect him to make drastic changes overnight,” he said.
“For the past 10 or 20 years, I have not seen any prime minister with the courage to introduce these sorts of reforms, and Abdullah had made two major changes in a month.
“I am therefore convinced that more changes and reforms will take place.”
Related Stories:
Dr M: I’m out, he’s (Ezam) in
Two former PKR leaders apply to join Umno
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