PUTRAJAYA: As PKR’s central national congress kicks off, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has poured cold water on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement of not defending his Bersatu president post.
“The policy speech of the Bersatu president announced that he wants to take a back seat. Debaters later asked him not to quit.
“The Bersatu Supreme Council held a special meeting also urging him not to exit. At the closing ceremony, the president then announced that he will stay on.
“Issues about the people, economic and international issues, aren't at focus,” said Saifuddin during his opening speech at the PKR national congress on Saturday (Nov 25) night.
Saifuddin said PKR’s national congress is very much different from Bersatu’s annual general assembly.
“The PKR congress must speak about political stability, ways to stimulate the economy, focusing on welfare and social issues and most importantly, ensure good government practices,” added Saifuddin.
Saifuddin said the PKR national was significant for two reasons - the party is close to its 25th anniversary and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has spent his first year as prime minister.
Saifuddin then spoke about the political deadlock that came following the 15th General Election (GE15), where no parties garnered an adequate majority to form the government.
Saifuddin then said that because no party had the majority, therefore Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and among others, heeded the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree to form the unity government.
“Our priority is the people, and stability in politics as well as the economy,” added Saifuddin.
On Friday (Nov 24), Muhyiddin announced his decision not to defend his post at the next party polls.
On Saturday (Nov 25), Muhyiddin announced that he would stay on for another term as Bersatu president after receiving blessings from his wife.
Muhyiddin also brushed off talks that his announcement not to defend his post at the next party polls as a gimmick to fish for support.
