JOHOR BARU: PKR must recognise the contributions made by N Surendran towards the development of the party and steer away from "kacang melupakan kulit" attitude, Pasir Gudang member of Parliament Hassan Abdul Karim said.
Hassan said the former PKR vice-president played an important role and that the latter had been actively involved since the inception of the party in 1999, starting as an opposition movement until its ascent to federal governance.
Surendran, said Hassan, was committed towards the struggles championed by PKR and this was reflected in his participation in several activities including street demontrations during the 'Reformasi' era.
"There is a Malay saying 'seperti kacang lupakan kulit' (do not forget your roots). Before the new generation (of leaders helming the party's leadership), Surendran was already on the streets fighting for reforms.
"He is not someone who constantly boasts about what he has done before or during this time.
"The new generation (of top leaders in PKR) like party information chief Fahmi (Fadzil) was still (studying) in university (back then) while we were already out there, getting arrested or having to go to court over our involvement with the party," he told reporters when met today.
Yesterday, Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, reminded Surendran to practice discipline when expressing his views.
The reminder from Fahmi came after Surendran criticised the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders over their silence regarding the sedition investigation involving former Damansara MP Tony Pua.
Pua was investigated over his Facebook posting deemed as criticising the decision made by Pardons Board reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak's jail sentence and fine involving the SRC International case.
Hassan added that instead of continue criticising Surendran's decision, all PKR leaders should remember and appreciate the role his played including as the legal advisor for party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Silence does not mean he is not active... He is active, just giving others a chance (to contribute towards development of the party).
"He is a good and intellectual leader. Consider thanking him for his contributions (to PKR).
"We must remember the old folks (in PKR) who have fought for the party. At that time, PKR was not in power, sitting on the streets.
"Surendran and (former Sungai Buloh MP) R Sivarasa also repeatedly met with Anwar while the latter was in prison."
