SHAH ALAM: PKR leaders who are still competing against one another, even after the party polls results were finalised earlier this month, will not be endorsed as candidates in the 15th general election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).
“As the party president, I will not forgive those (delegates) even at branches, divisions, Youth and Wanita wings who still chose to continue competing (after) the party polls.
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“If this continues, I guarantee that there will not be any surat watikah (endorsement letters) given to you,” said Anwar during his policy speech at the PKR national congress on Saturday (July 16) morning.
At the same time, Anwar quoted the story of Si Kitol and Raja Mendeliar and Melaka’s history, which he spoke about in the previous party congress in December 2019.
Anwar acknowledged that he was criticised for bringing up the story in December 2019, but argued that he had to say it, as the story alludes to traitors from within.
“Some said they regretted it, as Anwar should have not been so harsh.
“But, I said it because the information is right. There is indeed a Raja Mendeliar and Si Kitol in our party,” said the Port Dickson MP.
According to the Malay Annals, Si Kitol and Raja Mendeliar were the traitors that caused the downfall of the Melaka Sultanate to the Portuguese in 1511.
The PKR congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) also saw walkouts and fights breaking out between different factions within the party.
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Anwar was referring to former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali, who later led an exodus of 10 MPs in Feb 2020, in an event dubbed as the “Sheraton Move” that later saw the collapse of the then Pakatan Harapan government after merely 22 months.
Commenting further on the matter, Anwar told PKR delegates to never be enticed by the temptations of power and money.
“There was a former reformis with us. But, when he was tested, given power and money, the temptations clouded his judgement,” said Anwar, without naming anyone.
To ensure PKR moves forward from the episode, Anwar reminded delegates to always be strong, patient and love one another.
“The party will not be strengthened with hate and animosity,” added Anwar.
Earlier, Anwar also said he was close to being Prime Minister last year after 15 Umno MPs had agreed to support him on top of the 105 Opposition MPs.
However, Anwar said he had to backtrack from that plan, after several Umno leaders had allegedly asked to close their ongoing court cases.
Last month, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman claimed that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi led the movement of getting Umno MPs to sign statutory declarations (SD) backing Anwar as premier in 2020.
