By Syed Jaymal Zahiid, Free Malaysia Today
PKR's Jonson Chong quit his post as communications director yesterday in what sources described as a protest move against the party's top leadership.
They claimed that Chong had been “disillusioned” by the central leadership's lack of political will for internal reform, and had been mulling quitting for some time.When contacted, Chong confirmed his resignation, but denied that he had threw in the towel in protest.
"Yes, I tendered my resignation. I want to focus on my professional commitment," the lawyer told FMT.
While Chong was diplomatic about his decision, sources close to him however said that he was frustrated that the top leadership was not moving in the right direction.
He was upset that various reform initiatives were thwarted, mainly by party supremo Anwar Ibrahim himself.
"Of course he's denying it. He is a party loyalist. Telling the real reason will expose the party's weaknesses and you know how PKR is when it comes to such matters," said one party official.
There might be some merit to the allegation since several PKR leaders, contacted by FMT, said they were in the dark about Chong's resignation.
However, PKR Wanita chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin said the matter was raised by Anwar during last night's political bureau meeting.
"Anwar accepted Chong's resignation," she told FMT. "Chong said in his resignation letter that he wanted to focus on his work outside the party and his role as the party's strategic implementation committee member.”
Anwar's politics alienating leaders
Meanwhile, sources said Chong had been at odds with with Anwar over various issues, including the latter's alleged preference to keep his support base in the party intact instead of taking PKR forward.
"There are initiatives like cutting the bureaucracy that will do good for the party but Anwar shot it down because he knows that some of his loyalists will be upset that they may be left out.
"Remember, Chong is from NGO background. It is all about working for him, but Anwar is a politician.To be fair, Anwar has his considerations too. But if it is not helping the party, then it is time to change things," said another party insider.
Previously, PKR's former secretary-general Salahuddin Hashim had accused Anwar of "under-utilising" leaders with real talent.
According to him, the opposition leader had "poor human management skills" and this resulted in the loss of key allies.
Echoing this, the party insider said a clear example was the resignation of Zahrain Hashim, the former PKR Penang chief who was once in Anwar's inner circle.
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Comments (10)
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written by Aduh, August 05, 2010 20:28:38
written by Aduh, August 05, 2010 20:28:38
Even husband and wife who have lived harmoniously together for years and share a lot in common, can at times quarrel over petty matters and end up in divorce., what is there among politicians ??? They know each other only over a short period of time and meet only once in a while.
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written by syd, August 05, 2010 19:58:31
written by syd, August 05, 2010 19:58:31
"Previously, PKR's former secretary-general Salahuddin Hashim had accused Anwar of "under-utilising" leaders with real talent.
According to him, the opposition leader had "poor human management skills" and this resulted in the loss of key allies."
So true. Nothing much has come out from PR in terms of policy. Better for someone else to lead the opposition. Anwar was a useless leader under BN. he is still useless now.
According to him, the opposition leader had "poor human management skills" and this resulted in the loss of key allies."
So true. Nothing much has come out from PR in terms of policy. Better for someone else to lead the opposition. Anwar was a useless leader under BN. he is still useless now.
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written by nocheesegromit, August 05, 2010 11:47:52
written by nocheesegromit, August 05, 2010 11:47:52
What does Jonson do as communications director other than tweet and update his facebook status?
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written by red1, August 05, 2010 10:17:29
written by red1, August 05, 2010 10:17:29
A leader is supposed to lead, not to manage the running of things. That is something that is probably not really appreciated by members.
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written by Eskay345, August 05, 2010 09:52:50
written by Eskay345, August 05, 2010 09:52:50
Political leaders come and go.
They are not indispensible. Not even the world's famous like Gandhi and Mendela.
Unlike the Toon Mamatahi who was PM for two decades and messed-up the country in the process. Just refused to give up and continually interferes with the administration of the country. He still thinks that he deserves to die while holding onto that position.
They are not indispensible. Not even the world's famous like Gandhi and Mendela.
Unlike the Toon Mamatahi who was PM for two decades and messed-up the country in the process. Just refused to give up and continually interferes with the administration of the country. He still thinks that he deserves to die while holding onto that position.
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written by uxzee, August 05, 2010 09:45:24
written by uxzee, August 05, 2010 09:45:24
When things like this happens in PKR it tends to get blown out. And things like this will happen in PKR and DAP simply because many members of these 2 parties are very strong willed. Because of lack of funds they are not being compensated well and when their frustrations cross a limit, walking out of the party does not cost them anything or any fear. Infact some will be well rewarded by UMNO.
UMNO/BN members cannot do this as they are dependent on the party for all their illegal wealth. The bigger fear for UMNO/BN members will be the law and power that will be misused against them.
UMNO/BN members cannot do this as they are dependent on the party for all their illegal wealth. The bigger fear for UMNO/BN members will be the law and power that will be misused against them.
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written by Better My, August 05, 2010 08:45:49
written by Better My, August 05, 2010 08:45:49
Good people, probably like young Jonson Chong, may be caught in the at the wrong side of the situation. It is a pity but all marginalised would have ample opportunities to resurrect their ambitions in poltics or postions related to the higher offices of the land if they put their heads in. Whatever hapen, has happpened - we dont need to know the details Please dont agitate, go and have a cold shower, recollect ourself and get into your next plan on the professional commitment. This is NOT the end of the world for you in PKR. Poltical decisions override all personal feelings/emotion/likes or dislikes, just like the Perak lady MP cryng their hearts after they were deselected by the Ngeh cousins not long ago. Too bad. This is politics. Try again next when you are stronger without the crying bits.
On the more positive note with the reshuffle,
Re": Chong's replacement by Nik Nazmi was meant to bolster PKR's effort to win more Malay grassroots votes, which was crucial for Pakatan Rakyat's quest to capture Putrajaya."
This is excellent with the focus to reach the malay grassroots. Nothing must hinder this agressive attack on the Malay grassroots, including at the expense of friendly fires of our very own, as in the possible case of Jonson Chong. The big picture is supremo. Dont mess with it.
In saying the critical need to get leaders to reach the malay grassroots, it is pointless to get them but they sit back and drink latte and get caffeine fixes at weekends, and "appear to do very little on the front line, like the newe kid on the block, Azmi/PKR. Where the bloody hell is he? Why is he not at the Felda font line? Why are these super doopa grassroot PKR people not in the East natives? Waiting for the election bell to ring and then scramble madly to try to fix the election. Surely that is too late. Get moving NOW. . And DAP - you appear not walking the talk as much as we like. All sitting F too comfy where they are.
On the more positive note with the reshuffle,
Re": Chong's replacement by Nik Nazmi was meant to bolster PKR's effort to win more Malay grassroots votes, which was crucial for Pakatan Rakyat's quest to capture Putrajaya."
This is excellent with the focus to reach the malay grassroots. Nothing must hinder this agressive attack on the Malay grassroots, including at the expense of friendly fires of our very own, as in the possible case of Jonson Chong. The big picture is supremo. Dont mess with it.
In saying the critical need to get leaders to reach the malay grassroots, it is pointless to get them but they sit back and drink latte and get caffeine fixes at weekends, and "appear to do very little on the front line, like the newe kid on the block, Azmi/PKR. Where the bloody hell is he? Why is he not at the Felda font line? Why are these super doopa grassroot PKR people not in the East natives? Waiting for the election bell to ring and then scramble madly to try to fix the election. Surely that is too late. Get moving NOW. . And DAP - you appear not walking the talk as much as we like. All sitting F too comfy where they are.
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written by kclim, August 05, 2010 08:38:38
written by kclim, August 05, 2010 08:38:38
Only a storm in a tea cup.Everyday a child is born, everyday some dies.
There are days people join PKR , there are days PKR members quit or jump ship.What's the big deal?
It is not as if Anwar himself is quitting PKR. Even if it is so, no big deal as PKR has a "life" of it's own.
Jonson Who quit ? Democracy is at work here. Free to come and free to go. Jonson who ??
We are all FREE to vote when the time comes during the next GE. Please make it count then as it matters.
There are days people join PKR , there are days PKR members quit or jump ship.What's the big deal?
It is not as if Anwar himself is quitting PKR. Even if it is so, no big deal as PKR has a "life" of it's own.
Jonson Who quit ? Democracy is at work here. Free to come and free to go. Jonson who ??
We are all FREE to vote when the time comes during the next GE. Please make it count then as it matters.
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