KUALA LUMPUR: PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli has apologised to the Malaysian public, especially Kajang voters who are now forced to face a by-election and for the use of public funds at a time when many are going through economic hardships.
"There is no excuse for wasting public funds and as such I would like to offer my sincerest apologies. The party is also prepared to face the consequences should the voters of Kajang decide to punish us,” he said.
On Monday, PKR’s Lee Chin Cheh stepped down from the seat which he won during the 13th General Election through a letter sent to the state assembly speaker, stating that the move would enable the party to serve the people of Selangor better.
His action had taken several Pakatan Rakyat leaders by surprise and earned the criticism of many including the Bersih 2.0 electoral watchdog.
In a statement released Wednesday, Rafizi said as the strongest proponent of the scheme, he will bear most responsibility for the decision.
He also apologised for the varying opinions among PKR members, which would appear as though there are factions in the party which often frustrated the public.
He added that the party is doing its best to resolve issues within now for the sake of Malaysians, as any delays would condemn the party to the same experience Pakatan faced in Kedah.
Rafizi said the decision to field Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a candidate for the Kajang by-election was the party’s radical strategy to win Putrajaya.
He added although the “Kajang Move” may not be popular, it will help the party move a step closer to Putrajaya.
Rafizi likened PR’s strategy to that of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who was initially the mayor of Istanbul.
He admitted that the administration of Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has performed well over the past six years, but it now faces new challenges from UMNO .
He said the decision to put Anwar to contest in the Kajang constituency is to provide leadership when it would be necessary later.
"Does this mean there will be a change of leadership in state government? Maybe yes, maybe no. But we do have the option to optimise the leadership's potential should UMNO create issues," he said.
Meanwhile, former member of Parliament for Balik Pulau Yusmadi Yusoff argued that Malaysians should issue a clear message that the right to development is no longer a monopoly of political parties.
In an interview in Analisis AWANI on Tuesday, Yusmadi said Anwar's nomination by the party showed that Malaysia's political landscape still has a long way to go.
“People’s hope has been lifted high, but when we make decisions like this, it is not a new politics but a new political game. A party like PKR, which has the experience of ruling, I would say, this is not the way.
"The right to own a candidate is the party’s right, to choose is the people's right.” he added.
Astro Awani
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