Salehuddin: More will leave PKR

Former PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim has confirmed speculation that more members are lining up to leap off the deck of the troubled opposition party.

“It may be more than 10. You take the total number (of representatives) minus the socialists, the NGO liberals and the cronies, (and) do the math,” he said cryptically today.

“But they won't all jump at once, they will come in ones and twos. As in boxing, there are combinations to this.”

Pressured for details, he steadfastly refused to reveal names or the exact number, saying instead that all will be revealed in time.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference called this morning by PKR's Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tan Tee Beng, to announce that he has quit the party to turn Independent.

Salehuddin also revealed that there is a movement within the party towards forming an “independent bloc” which is tired of polemics, but does not necessarily support BN.

"You are all aware that there are developments in PAS and DAP towards this (bloc). The same may also be developing in PKR."

Salehuddin confirmed his own resignation from the party, saying he will leave in two weeks.

"We must do things properly. I am a guy who goes by the book," he said.

The buzz surrounding his resignation started last October. He initially denied this and Malaysiakini's report on the matter was criticised by those in PKR.

'Opportunists' in PKR

Salehuddin hinted at the reasons behind the apparent rift in PKR.

“We originally 'real deal' activists started the entire movement. Who are these young guns who suddenly appear and try to take charge and push their human rights agenda and what not? Where were they in 1999?”

He was underlining the grouses against the newly tacked-on supporters who Salehuddin described as opportunists who have hijacked the party for their own agenda.

Salehuddin said he has been advising several disgruntled PKR members who are all his friends.

But he denied being the mastermind behind the group because, “I don't know how to bite people”.

Twice now, Salehuddin has been a silent presence while PKR elected representatives revealed their resignation from the party.

Early last month, Salehuddin was at a press conference called by Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim (left) to say that he had left PKR.

At the time, Salehuddin remained silent, apart from telling reporters that he was only there “ in support of a friend”.

Speculation also surrounds the future of Bandar Bahru Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin, who is facing a disciplinary hearing. However, he has said that he currently has no intention to resign.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini