Zaid Ibrahim quit his posts and accused his colleagues of hypocrisy and fraud.

Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim's attack is certain to fuel a growing sense of dejection among opposition supporters tired of infighting and spark a political firestorm that could severely dent Anwar's public image as he battles sodomy charges.

Zaid — admired by many for being blunt about his political principles — announced he was resigning from several decision-making positions in the People's Justice Party and would no longer seek its No. 2 post because of signs "the leadership actively condones malpractices and electoral fraud to achieve its designed objectives."

Zaid, who was competing for the party post against a rival whom Anwar is known to favour, claimed there were irregularities in the distribution of ballot papers in the party's current elections for top office-bearers.

"I am certain that any political party with such hypocritical and false values will not be able to offer meaningful reforms to the people of this country," he said.

Zaid had once been considered a potential successor to Anwar if the opposition leader were to be convicted on charges of sodomizing a male former aide. Anwar denounces the charges, which could result in a 20-year prison term, as a government plot to block his political ascent. The government denies that.

Internal bickering in Anwar's three-party alliance has taken away much of the shine from major gains the opposition made in 2008 national polls and dampened opposition hopes of seizing federal power in elections that many expect to be held before mid-2012.

Better late than sorry !

The PKR supreme council has decided to boot out Zulkifli Noordin, the Kulim Bandar Baru MP who has been a thorn in the flesh of the fledging party.

The meeting was chaired by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Her husband, Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR de facto leader was also present along with deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

At a press conference following the supreme council meeting, party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that the decision to sack Zulkifli was unanimous.

By sacking Zulkifli, the party has opted to cut off the wound which has been left festering for over a year.

The supreme council has requested Zulkifli to vacate his parliamentary seat "with immediate effect" but he is unlikely to do so.

However, Saifuddin said he is allowed to appeal the decision within 14 days.

Asked if he does not want to vacate the seat, Saifuddin stressed that PKR members subscribe to an oath to serve the people.

"We feel he has violated the oath with his actions," he said.

Questioned if Zulkifli wants to be an independent MP, the party secretary-general said it would be up to him.

"He is elected under the PKR ticket and he should resign. If he is a man of integrity which he claims he is, he would vacate his post."

Charges against Zulkifli

According to the party constitution, Zulkifli could be given a stern warning, suspended or sacked from the party.

A disciplinary board had been tasked to probe Zulkifli over a police report he had lodged against PAS Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and for his scathing criticism of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and also PKR in a television interview which was aired by TV3.

The Kulim Baru MP had however claimed that he was brought before the board for his opposition to the party's stance on the 'Allah' issue.

Zulkifli, an ordinary PKR member, had walked out of the disciplinary board in protest against the presence of non-Muslim members on the panel.

The board had subsequently recommended that Zulkifli be kicked out from the party.

“You cannot criticise or lodge a police report against a friendly partner within Pakatan. You also do not criticise the party openly. There are proper channels to do so and he did not do it,” said Saifuddin in explaining why the party went for the harshest punishment against Zulkifli.

“Such actions would be deemed as going against the party and our Pakatan partners. Hence such action should be taken and we hope it would also educate our 500,000 party members to abide by the party discipline and rules,” he said.

(Source)

Zulkifli Noordin challenged R Sivarasa to quit and battle him for the top post

"I challenge Sivarasa to step down within the next 24 hours and go against me, man to man.

"Let PKR members exercise their democratic right to decide if it is the party's policy to defend the right of Islam and Muslims or otherwise,"

Zulkifli was responding to Sivarasa's statement in an English newspaper today that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's warning to party representatives to shape up or ship out was targeted at Zulkifli.

Among others, Sivarasa said the PKR supremo's warning was aimed at people like Zulkifli who constantly issue statements contrary to the party's stand.

Zulkifli alleged that "Sivarasa and the likes of him" have their own personal agenda, and are using Anwar's political clout for their own purposes.

"I hope Anwar is aware of this because the public would one day know about it, and this would tarnish the party's image," he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar told a press conference later that he did not specifically target anyone in his warning.

"What I said was that everyone who is PKR must abide by the party's agenda and principles... no specific reference was made," he said.

The opposition leader also felt that Zulkifli had crossed the line in issuing a challenge to Sivarasa.

"I spoke to him (Zulkifli) after his press conference. I feel that he could have simply explained his position... but he went overboard with his challenge which I think was unnecessary.

"He wanted to respond to the negative perception towards him and that is not wrong, but I feel that he could have refrained from issuing a challenge," he added.

Asked if he was angry with the PKR MP over his statement, Anwar replied: "It is not fair to be angry at him because his name was singled out (in the report quoting Sivarasa)."

Anwar stressed that no disciplinary actions would be taken against both parties,and declared an end to a policy spat between the two hours after it happened.

Port Klang rep Badrul Hisham quits PKR to become a "BN-friendly" independent.

Port Klang state assemblyperson Badrul Hisham Abdullah today said that he is quitting PKR with immediate effect to become a BN-friendly Independent.

Under pressure Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah has announced that he is quitting PKR.

At a press conference on Thursday evening, he said that he had lost faith in the party's leadership.

He said he would remain an independent who will support the Barisan Nasional, and will not be relinquishing his state seat.

Earlier Thursday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government has recommended to the PKR supreme council that Badrul Hisham resign from his seat for non-performance.

In a statement issued from his office, Khalid said he would be sending a delegation to “reiterate the matter to the assemblyman personally.”

“The state government is aware of the mounting complaints from the people of Port Klang over the non-performance of assemblyman Badrul Hisham.

“Since he was issued a showcause letter dated Aug 20, he has made no effort to improve his work.

“Despite stating his willingness to meet state and party leaders, he continues to be evasive in meeting them. He has also refused to answer calls or SMSes and has not re-opened his service centre for the people in Port Klang,” Khalid said in his statement.

“The state government cannot tolerate incompetent and irresponsible leaders as they will seriously undermine its efforts to improve the rakyat’s (people’s) economic and social lives,” he added.

Earlier this month, Badrul Hisham’s appearance at Klang Umno chief Datuk Mazlynoor Abd Latif’s Hari Raya open house raised question about his party loyalty.

Later Thursday, Khalid told reporters that having issued its statement, the state government would now “wait and see.”

“If Badrul Hisham still wants to serve the people, he will be given a chance to do so; if he does not, it’s better that he leaves regardless which party he belongs to.

“Since he promised the people, in his campaign during the 12th general election in March last year, that he would serve them, he should keep his promise,” he said.

When asked what would happen if Badrul Hisham decides to quit PKR to become an independent, Khalid said, “He can become an Umno member or an MCA member if he likes, but as an elected representative, he must serve the people.”

If Badrul Hisham refuses to quit his Port Klang seat, Khalid said the state government would study its next course of action.

- The Star

Najib will be no different from Dr M

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail likened the incoming administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to something "which is no different from the old regime" of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Articulating a widely held view that the impending departure of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi next March has already seen a return of "Mahathirism," she said the new administration will bear many similiarities with that of Dr Mahathir's.

She expected more arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA), more corruption and the continued erosion of public institutions, all of which she said were the hallmark of the Mahathir era.

"The transition plan between the prime minister and his deputy will not bring any positive changes to the damage done to the judiciary, the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and parliament," she said.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim assured supporters that he was still determined to unseat the government, which foiled his bid to seize power more than two months ago.

Political observers say it remains unclear whether Anwar ever had sufficient support to oust Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration, which rejected Anwar's demands in September to discuss a voluntary power transfer or to call a special Parliament session to hold a vote on confidence in Abdullah's leadership.

Anwar reiterated his pledge to implement fair economic and social policies if the opposition takes power, but he did not set any new deadline. Malaysia's next general elections are scheduled to be held in 2013.

"We promised change ... but the change has not yet been achieved," the former deputy prime minister said. "Our future is bright."

Anwar Ibrahim has big hurdles to overcome

Barred from public office and beset by party grumbles, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has big hurdles to overcome if he is to return to the political frontline.

Anwar's unexpected decision over the weekend to withdraw his candidacy for the presidency of the opposition Keadilan party has left both himself and the movement in a difficult spot, analysts say.

For now the party will continue to be led formally by his wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, after another contender also pulled out of the leadership race at its weekend national congress.

But in the longer term it puts a big question mark over Anwar's attempt to return to Malaysian politics.

Keadilan has been banking on Anwar's star quality to gain support for the party, whose profile has declined since its creation in the wake of his 1998 sacking from government.

Anwar said his decision not to run for the leadership of Keadilan, or the People's Justice Party, was because of fears its registration could have been cancelled.

"My problem is that the party comes first. 'Anwar' should not be the reason to sacrifice the position of the party," he told the 2,000 delegates.

However he said he would remain as the party's de facto leader behind the scenes, arguing he could still be effective without an official post....more from Malaysiakini here, CNA here.


Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (Keadilan) biennial congress this year turned out to be a huge disappointment for many -- for its adviser, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who had hoped to be elected president, and for the delegates, who had wanted the party to show that it is prepared for the next general election.

The focus of the three-day congress, which began on Friday, was clearly on Anwar, who is very much in control of the party set up in 1999 after he was removed as deputy prime minister.

On Saturday, when everyone expected Anwar to officially take over the helm from his wife, Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, he dropped a bombshell that he would withdraw from the three-cornered race against Wan Azizah and former deputy president Abdul Rahman Othman, better known as ARO.

On the sidelines earlier, Anwar had told reporters he would not be cowed by the registrar of societies (ROS) into withdrawing from the contest. Under the Societies Act, Anwar is barred from active politics for five years until April next year because of his conviction for corruption. The registrar rejected his application for an exemption on Friday.

After a break, an hour following his announcement, when some 1,500 delegates were ready to cast their ballots, Anwar asked to explain his position to the party.

"I am ready to face any risks (by accepting the presidency) despite there being a threat (from the registrar) that I will be jailed for three years or fined RM10,000 should I defy the decision by the ROS," he said to a round of 'reformasi' from the delegates.

No one expected what followed. "But now there is a problem. There is an implication and threat to the party. At the individual level, I am really to sacrifice, but for the party, I have to think (about my decision) carefully," Anwar said.

"I urge you all to support Wan Azizah. Choose her if you support my leadership. This was the most difficult decision in my life."

Throughout his speech, not once did he use the word "withdrawal".

Anwar's decision was said to have been made at the supreme council meeting at midnight before the election.

"Wan Azizah told the supreme council members she did not want her husband to take the risk of being put in jail again," one party insider said.

But not all were pleased with Anwar's decision, including information chief Tian Chua, who was absent from the meeting to attend a funeral in Malacca.

Visibly upset, Chua was overheard asking Anwar "How can you do this?" after the announcement was made.

While Anwar listened to his supporters debate whether he should defy the ROS, delegates who were dismayed at his decision walked out.

"Wayang! Wayang! Siapa nak tengok wayang boleh masuk sekarang. Free! (Show! Show! Whoever wants to watch the show can enter now! Free!)," one delegate declared before walking out of the hall with about five others.

A last-minute withdrawal by ARO from the presidency contest also raised eyebrows. Just three days earlier, he had challenged Anwar's legitimacy to contest because of the latter's conviction.

"The general election is very near now. I could see that the delegates supported Anwar's decision to withdraw and Wan Azizah as president, so I responded accordingly," he said when met after announcing his decision.

In her winding up speech yesterday, Wan Azizah tried to ease the tension. "I was a reluctant and novice politician, and I had to get advice from Anwar. But I have been party president for eight years now. Cacing sudah jadi naga (the worm has become a dragon)," she said to laughter from the hall.

At a press conference later, Anwar was asked why he had insisted on contesting the presidency despite knowing the ROS would likely turn him down.

"I thought the ROS would grant me permission," he said.

Asked how he was going to consolidate the party with the unhappiness over his decision to withdraw, Anwar said: "I can't risk the position of my party. There are many unscrupulous people waiting to tarnish the image of the party."

Those who had waited to see how the party would move forward to prepare for the next general election were also disappointed.

"The quality of debate for policies was poor and there was no intensive discussion on the strategy for the next general election. (The delegates) were not interested in the debate but in the party elections and positions as well as in whether Anwar is to be president," a political observer said.

There are doubts about the party's ability to face the formidable Barisan Nasional machinery in the next general election.

Events at the congress were disrupted and delayed daily as a result of poor coordination. The youth wing election on Friday was delayed several hours due to an allegedly missing voter list.

"I am not confident that they will be very organised in the next general election. They weren't even organised in their own congress," a political analyst said.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin is unfazed by a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) delegate's threat to throw rotten eggs or tomatoes at him to prevent him from speaking at public events.

“My responsibility is to destroy the opposition. If they want to welcome me with an eggplant or rotten egg and tomatoes ... let them do it. I am not afraid,” he told reporters.

He was commenting on the call made by PKR Federal Territory delegate Othman Karim during the debate on the president’s address at the party’s annual congress here yesterday.

Othman said Khairy was a destroyer and a “murderer” of opposition parties.

“Attack him. Arm ourselves with rotten eggs or tomatoes when he comes around and throw them at him. His voice must not be heard,” said Othman.

Party divided over Anwar’s pull-out

Some PKR members are willing to risk the party being de-registered ahead of an expected snap general election...more on Malaysiakini here.

Live Telecast: Parti Keadilan Rakyat Kongres Nasional Tahunan Ke-4 here,and here

“Anwar is very prone to thinking with his heart but I think this time his head will rule his heart,” said Anwar’s long-time friend Datuk Ravi Dharan.

And just as everyone thought that the high emotions had come to a close, Abdul Rahman Othman, the third contestant to the president’s post, declared he was also withdrawing.

Rahman claimed it was a spontaneous act on his part after listening to Anwar’s appeal, although he admitted later that he had “accidentally met” Anwar at a local hotel the previous night and they had chatted for an hour.

Journalists watching the turn of events wondered if there was anything at all spontaneous that morning. There had obviously been quite a bit of choreography behind the scenes.

Anwar and those close to him were well aware of the perils of challenging the ROS. The law is the law, even if one deems the law unjust.

But posturing Anwar as the potential president brought the supporters out in droves. And challenging the ROS gave the party a huge boost of morale.

There was, said one journalist, lots of shock and awe and, if P. Ramlee were still alive, he would have loved to make a movie out of it.

It was superb political strategy and the outpouring of emotions confirmed his standing in the party.

On top of all this, the ROS played an unwitting supporting role to the political melodrama.

Anwar had accused the ROS and the powers behind it of silat and sandiwara in blocking him at the eleventh hour but he was apparently not above his own brand of silat and sandiwara. It was Anwar at his Machiavellian best.
- The Star

Anwar told an emotional crowd of almost 2,000 delegates at an annual gathering for Keadilan, or the People's Justice Party opposition party, that he will, however, remain its de-facto leader.

"I have withdrawn and decided to ask the party to give support to Azizah," Anwar told reporters at the sidelines of the gathering.

"I will lead but we need to follow the rules and law. So for the post of president, let us give way to Azizah. With that, it will be Azizah as president, and I will continue to lead as before," he said in his speech, despite repeated pleas from members.

The Malaysian Registrar of Societies, a government agency, on Friday rejected Anwar's attempt to run for president of Keadilan.

It was feared that if he had continued his bid, this could have led to the party being de-registered.

Wan Azizah Wins Unopposed After Anwar, Rahman Withdraw

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail retained the seat unopposed at the party' election after two other candidates for the top post, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Abdul Rahman Othman, withdrew from the contest.

Anwar, who is also the party's advisor, said he took the action as PKR risked being deregistered by the Registrar of Societies had he done so.

He cannot hold any political position until April 14, 2008 because of the five year prohibition rule under the Societies Act pertaining to convicted persons.

"The party comes first. My personal ambitions are secondary.

"I expect the general-election to be held in early August as I am seen as a big threat," he told reporters here today. More from Parti Keadilan Rakyat's website here and Malaysiakini's news here.

Anwar Ibrahim withdrew from a party election Saturday, accepting a ban on holding political office because of a previous corruption conviction.

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, told some 1,800 delegates of the People's Justice Party that he decided to pull out of the race for the party presidency to protect its future.

The party could have been de-registered had Anwar defined the ban, making it ineligible to contest the next general elections, widely expected to be called later this year or in early 2008, although they are not due until 2009.

Anwar said he was prepared to be jailed for three years or pay a fine of up to 10,000 ringgit (US$2,940; €2,150) for defying the ban, but didn't want to put the party, known by its Malay acronym Keadilan, at risk.

"This is not just against me but there is a threat against the party of being de-registered. ... I will continue to lead but we should not give them the weapon," he said after two hours of debate during which delegates tried to persuade him to run.

Anwar Ibrahim, Advisor of the People's Justice Party (KeADILan) and one of the three candidates for presidency of the party, received a notice from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) this afternoon, rejecting his application to contest.

Anwar has since filed an appeal to the Home Minister.

Under the Societies Act, the Home Minister has the right to grant him a waiver.

KeADILan strongly condemns such the move by ROS as a deliberate ploy to prevent the reemergence of Anwar Ibrahim into active political leadership.

He has expressed his intention to go ahead with the elections tomorrow.



Tian Chua
Information Chief
People's Justice Party (KeADILan)

The Registrar of Societies informed Anwar yesterday that it has rejected his application to be exempted from a ban on active politics.

Datuk Seri Anwar is currently banned from public office till April 2008 because of his six-year conviction for corruption.

However, he said yesterday that he will defy the ban in party polls today.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported that Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail reiterates her intention to give up her president's post but stresses that she will continue to serve and contribute to the party... more

"Anwar Ibrahim is seeking to make a comeback to active politics as the opposition party, led by his wife, on Saturday predicted general elections to be called by August.

Anwar, who was sacked from the government nine years ago on corruption and homosexuality charges, is running for the presidency in Saturday's poll in the People's Justice Party, defying a ban on him holding political office due to a previous jail term, officials said.

The Registrar of Societies on Friday rejected Anwar's application to exempt him from being barred in the party poll but he has filed an appeal to Home Minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.

Anwar is being challenged by senior member Abdul Rahman Othman for the presidency in the party, known by its Malay acronym Keadilan and formed in 1999 by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail after his arrest.

Wan Azizah is also defending the post, although officials said it is a precautionary measure in case Anwar is disqualified. Under the party constitution, a person barred from holding posts at the national level cannot hold a party post."

Gus Dur akan hadir Kongres KeADILan malam ini (Sabtu)

Bekas Presiden Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) akan menghadiri sidang istimewa Kongres KeADILAn pada 9.30 malam ini, Sabtu 26/7/2007 di Sekolah Tinggi Chung Hua, Seremban. Beliau akan diiringi oleh tokoh-tokoh agama dari Indonesia. Orang ramai dijemput hadir.

Anwar not eligible for PKR elections

The Registrar of Societies has informed Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PRK) that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not eligible to contest in the party's elections this weekend.

Anwar, however, has said he would still go ahead and contest in the election, reports The Star.

Malaysiakini reported that, the elections for the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth wing has been delayed because the voters list went missing.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied being the “hidden hand” behind the aspirants for key posts in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) elections.

“People are using my name for their own purposes. If I were the hidden hand, would people be contesting against me (for the president’s post)? I did not even tell (Abdul) Rahman Othman to contest or not to contest,” he said.

His wife and incumbent president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and former deputy president Rahman are the other two candidates vying for the president’s post in the party election this Saturday.

Anwar, who is slated to win the post, has come under the spotlight for allegedly exerting his influence over who should contest for some of the key posts.

Allegations of meddling in the elections have caused ripples ahead of a keenly contested poll.

Datuk K. Nallakaruppan, claiming that he felt betrayed, has threatened to resign from the party which he joined only in August last year at the invitation of his “good friend” Anwar.

Nallakaruppan, who received the second highest number of nominations among those vying for the three vice-president posts, said that Anwar had asked him to withdraw from the contest.

Anwar was also accused of meddling in the contest at the Youth wing level, drawing criticism from former Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor.

Former deputy president nominee Azmin Ali was also said to have been pressured against challenging incumbent Dr Syed Husin Ali for the post, even though the former has denied it.

Anwar said all he did was advise those who wanted to vie for posts that he would not campaign for them and that they should be prepared to accept defeat and stay committed to the party.

“Those claiming that I am interfering should provide evidence to the party election committee. The fact that the mainstream media is so interested in our election shows that the party is not irrelevant as some people have claimed,” he said.


Malaysia ninth on list in Transparency International’s report

Transparency International’s 2007 Global Corruption Report: Corruption in Judicial Systems shows Malaysia coming out ninth from 62 countries surveyed.

It seems that Malaysians have a better opinion of their judiciary than citizens of most industrialised nations, and this has befuddled Transparency International (TI) Malaysia and the Bar Council.

According to those surveyed, we have a world-class judiciary....more here and here.

"Not a day passes without cases of teenage pregnancies, abandoned babies and abduction and rapes reported in the newspapers," said Dr Irene Fernandez, executive director of Tenaganita, a rights NGO.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already warned in 2006 that Malaysia is on the brink of an HIV epidemic. We can't be in denial any longer,"

"Just worrying about it is not enough. Where are the tough measures?"

About 15,000 children have already been made orphans by AIDS in Malaysia, the WHO said. Full story here.