MELAKA: No leaders in PKR have called for the removal of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali from the party, its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
The only issue raised by party leaders, according to Anwar, was for everyone to be disciplined and united.
“That (Azmin’s sacking) was not raised by any leader. It was just by a small number of the delegates.
“Not one party leader responded by saying that they agreed to it,” he told a press conference after his winding-up speech during PKR’s 20th National Congress at Melaka International Trade Centre here today.
Anwar said this amid growing infighting within PKR which is causing the split in the Pakatan Harapan component member becoming wider.
On Saturday Azmin said that Anwar had broken his promises and he expressed his disappointment with the Port Dickson Member of Parliament.
Today, the Economic Affairs Minister went missing and did not give his speech at the national congress as per tradition.
According to Azmin, Anwar gave his word that party delegates would not employ personal attacks on him during the congress but Anwar said that was out of his control.
“But if the delegates say they wanted leaders to observe discipline and honour their pledges, how do you control that?
"I can’t be going around giving prepared speech texts to the delegates and tell them to only read what I want them to.
“That’s dictatorship and PKR is a democratic party.”
During Saturday’s congress, some speakers in debating the president’s policy speech called Azmin a traitor and wanted him to be sacked.
Asked if he was willing to forgive Azmin, Anwar said he had always taken a soft approach in his speeches.
“I think when Azmin came out with a conciliatory statement, it means he still respects the leadership of Anwar as president, so I think there is that willingness to accommodate the sentiments expressed by members.
“I am forgiving but this is not a personal matter. I have to listen to the voices and sentiments on the ground,” he said.
On the Shared Prosperity Dinner organised by Azmin at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur tonight, Anwar confirmed that he was invited to the event.
However, he would not be attending it as he had planned a special prayer programme at his house.
“I do this gathering every week, you can come to my house tonight if you don’t believe me.”
