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Monday, May 21, 2007

Anwar Ibrahim interferes with PKR polls?

Well, well, well. It seems the world’s greatest political reformer may require some reforming himself, if the words of a PKR member are valid.

In malaysiakini, we read of PKR Youth secretary SD Johari making an unusual accusation against party advisor, Anwar Ibrahim.

I deem it unusual because most PKR members, especially those of the younger set, have a fanatical devotion to Anwar. Some of them have displayed virtual kamikazi take-no-prisoner behaviour towards any critics of Anwar or PKR. I call those guys cyber-jihadists because most of their merciless mangling mauling vile, vitriol and venom were conducted on the web.

Therefore Johari’s accusation against a virtually sacred party icon is astonishing. He must have been pushed to the limits of his patience and tolerance.

According to Johari, Anwar has been meddling in the party elections which will be held later this week. He claimed that Anwar asked acting Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin to ‘find ways’ to ensure that Johari loses.

That could explain why Johari has spoken out. And if the allegations are at all true, then I do wonder about Anwar's constant bleating of democracy blah blah blah.

Johari said he had received 42 nominations - the highest for Youth deputy chief - while his nearest contender Feriz Musa received only 11 nominations. Despite the comfortable gulf between him and the next contender, Johari has decided not to contest for the wing deputy chief post as a mark of protest against Anwar's alleged interference.

He lamented: “I am disappointed with Anwar’s interference in the Youth elections which is supposed to be decided by the delegates from the 82 divisions around the country.”

Let’s dig in a bit deeper as to why Anwar allegedly wants Johari to lose. The latter claimed that Anwar is not happy with him because of his close ties with former Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor and his open criticism against the PKR adviser during the recent Ijok by-election.

Hmmm, I thought Ezam was one of Anwar’s handpicked henchmen, at least before he left? I wonder what went wrong since?

Johari said that there is an attempt to sideline those close to Ezam in the Youth wing. Oh oh oh, this really bad.


He said several candidates for the Youth vice-chief post will also withdraw to protest against Anwar’s alleged interference as a protest.

Johari said Anwar cannot accept those with differing opinions and the courage to criticise him. Hey, this sounds like UMNO bickering.

Ooops!

However, Johari warns that no one’s going to shut him up. He vows to continue his criticisms against Anwar and other party leaders who err. He is prepared to face any form of action, including dismissal.

He said: “As for my future in the party, I will wait until after the (party) congress. I will work closer with the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption (Gerak) set up by Ezam. I am not fighting for positions; my struggle started with the aim to uphold justice when Anwar was sacked from his deputy prime minister post on Sept 2, 1998.”

Anwar has of course denied meddling in the party polls.

Two questions … er … no, make that just one because I am inclined towards Johari’s allegation of Anwar being intolerant. After all he was an UMNO minister.

The question is: Why is (allegedly of course) Anwar so against Ezam?

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