PUTRAJAYA – PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail opened the party’s congress tonight by taking a direct jab at Bersatu for its “drama-filled” annual gathering.
Saifuddin commenced his address by emphasising that PKR focus on national issues, as opposed to Bersatu’s recent turmoil stemming from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s brief announcement that he would not seek re-election as the party’s president.
“In (the Bersatu) president’s policy speech, he announced that he would resign and back down. Its delegates and supreme council urged against it. At the closing today, the president said he no longer wishes to back down.
“Issues of the people, the economy and international (matters) are not prioritised. PKR’s congress cannot be like that.
“(Our) congress must discuss political stability, economic planning and focus on the social welfare of the people. Most important, is governance,” he told party delegates at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, tonight.
For context, both parties’ annual gatherings are coincidentally held in the same period. Bersatu’s AGM was held between November 23 to 25, while PKR’s congress is on November 25 and 26.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin made an about turn on his decision to sit out a re-election for Bersatu’s presidency next year, claiming that his wife had given her blessing for him to continue helming the party.
His announcement yesterday was met with unanimous rejection from the party’s supreme council and grassroots. The rejection was also voiced out by 20 debaters during the AGM’s debate session.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said PKR’s congress this year was significant as it coincided with the anniversary of party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s swearing-in as prime minister.
He added that this congress was also held just shy of the party’s 25th anniversary, which will be in April next year. – November 25, 2023