SEBERANG PERAI, May 1 — PKR has downplayed today the effect of its Penang Youth chief Asrol Sani Abdul Razak’s decision to quit the party on its preparation to face the 14th general election.
PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said the number of those who followed Asrol Sani out was small compared to the rest.
“I’ve not seen the others he claimed are grassroots who’ve been working on the ground,” he said when contacted.
Earlier today, Asrol held a press conference announcing his decision to leave the party along with 70 other members.
He voiced his disappointment with the party leadership and the party’s decision to give the Bertam state seat to Pakatan Harapan (PH) component, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
He claimed a lot of grassroots were unhappy with this decision to give some of PKR’s seats to PPBM.
Dr Afif said the claim was not true, as all members understood the importance of all PH component parties to work together this election.
“The decision on the Bertam seat was decided by PH leaders as a whole and it was agreed by all component parties for the greater good of the party,” he said.
He said the party’s decision on candidacy was not to cater to any individual demands.
He added that the PPBM candidate picked for the Bertam seat, Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq, is a lawyer who will prove to be a good choice.
“I believe he is a good choice as a candidate,” he said.
Khaliq will face Barisan Nasional’s Shariful Azhar Othman and PAS’ Mokhtar Ramly.
