GE13: Azmin rejects Sabah PKR’s ‘suggestions’

Azmin's dismissal of a candidates' list revealed by Sabah PKR leaders only highlights the growing discontent between the party's national leadership and the Sabah leaders.

PETALING JAYA: PKR deputy president Azmin Ali today dismissed a Sabah PKR leader’s decision to announce the party’s candidates for the state’s west coast region, stating that the names were “mere suggestions”.

“They are merely suggestions. All decisions will be made by our political bureau meetings,” he said at a press conference at the party headquarters here today.

FMT earlier today reported that Tuaran PKR chief Ansari Abdullah had pre-empted the party’s top leadership by announcing seven candidates for the state’s west coast region.

He said that the announcement was made in line with PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to give autonomy to the East Malaysian state.

Ansari announced that he would stand for the Tuaran constituency and Dr Chong Eng Leong for Sepanggar.

Others were Mazhry Nasir (Putatan), Anthony Mandiau (Kota Marudu), Mursalim Tanjul (Kudat), Saidil Semoi (Kota Belud) and Johanathan Yassin (Ranau).

When unveiling the list late yesterday in Sabah PKR headquarters in Penampang, Ansari said: “We have taken the liberty to release the names of the seven candidates that have been picked by the respective divisions.

“This is a test of whether the party leadership is sincere in its promise to give us autonomy. We are very confident that the party will pass this test,” he added.

Azmin’s dismissal of the list today highlighted the growing discontent between the party’s national leadership and the Sabah leaders.

Pakatan’s council meeting

Azmin, who is also Gombak MP, said that the Pakatan Rakyat presidential council would be having a meeting later today to discuss its candidates’ list.

“We will discuss issues concerning overlapping seats. Hopefully, we can sort out the matter by the end of the week,” he said.
When asked if Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng would be contesting in the general election, Azmin said: “We appreciate what he had done for the party. We have made several offers to him and I’m confident we can resolve the matter.”

Azmin’s reply seemed to contradict Chua’s earlier statement when he said that he has yet to be offered any seats to date.
Azmin also dismissed a tweet by Yusmadi Yusoff who claimed that the latter was not shortlisted to contest for the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat.

“That’s his view. The party will decide on him and all PKR members contesting in Penang by this evening.

“Anwar will announce which seat he will contest at the same time,” said Azmin.

Code of conduct for Selangor

On another matter, Azmin said that the Selangor state government had issued a circular on Feb 19 to all state departments and state-linked and government linked companies on a code of conduct for a caretaker government.

Among others, Azmin said that Selangor would no longer hold its executive council meetings and its political leaders are barred from using the state office and machinery for political purposes.

“The state government had informed the state civil service to only implement policies that were introduced prior to the dissolution [of the state assembly].

“We also urged state public servants to remain neutral and professional at all times,” he said.

Azmin urged Barisan Nasional leaders to also follow Selangor’s lead on the matter and use state vehicles solely for official reasons.

G Vinod