PKR does not oppose RUU355 says Anwar

(The Star) – PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has questioned the move by the Syura Council, PAS’ highest decision making body, to sever all ties with PKR that has been established since 1998.

In a press statement made available here on Saturday, Anwar, who is serving a five-year jail term for sodomy, said despite the decision, he respected the attitude shown by PAS leaders like the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the late Datuk Fadzil Noor and Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in cooperating to work against Umno and Barisan Nasional.

“But I am still perplexed by the reasons given for the break up although it was a collective decision.

“It is now clear that the PAS top leadership did not scrutinise the statements by PKR president and me over the RUU355 issue and that we respected the rights of Abdul Hadi to table the private member’s bill and suggested the matter to be referred to the Parliament Select Committee,” he said.

Anwar also said that PKR had done everything to maintain a political accord and it was done to bring changes to the Malaysian masses.

“And I reiterate the stand by the PKR president that the party had never reneged on its political cooperation since day one although many made baseless accusations against PKR,’ he added.

Anwar also stressed that PKR’s existence has only one aim, that is to defeat Umno-BN whom he claimed was practicing kleptocracy and corruption resulting in rising costs of living affecting the rakyat.

He added that this latest political development is affecting the Selangor government led by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is PKR deputy president.

“I am confident Azmin will handle the matter based on the mandate given to him and weather this sensitive issue accordingly,” Anwar said.

The Syura Council on Thursday decided to terminate the party’s political cooperation with PKR citing PKR’s violations of terms of the agreement which were established during the 11th general election in 2004.