Bagan Serai MP latest to quit PKR

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) suffered another blow by losing another representative yesterday when Bagan Serai Member of Parliament (MP) Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri declared that he has quit the party.

Mohsin, 65, told a news conference here that he had lost confidence in the struggle and political objectives of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat in restoring the sovereignty of Islam.

“I am deeply concerned with the political struggles and activities of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, especially in Perak issue.

“Their politics and acceptance or compromise on certain matters to achieve a certain objective, borderless attack on the country’s institutions like the royalty, judiciary and enforcement, seeking support from other countries to attack the sovereignty of the country is unacceptable,” said Mohsin when reading out a two-page statement to reporters here.

His resignation comes on the heels of Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin and Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng who left PKR recently.

Mohsin said he would also relinquish all his posts in PKR and become an independent MP.

He added that the stand taken by PKR in the controversial ‘Allah’ ruling was disappointing and cannot be accepted because it was against its struggles in defending religion.

The Bagan Serai MP said he was also disappointed with the false hopes and promise given by the leadership that on ‘Sept 16’ Pakatan Rakyat would take over the federal government, when 30 Barisan Nasional MPs ‘jumped ship’.

Greed and power has become the norm among leaders in the party, and they even compromise on the objectives, struggles, religion and sacrifices made by the people, he said.

“Internal bickering, politicking, back-stabbing, treason, sabotage have begun to rear its ugly head within the party and it is so serious that I was not even able to carry out my duties and responsibilities to the people as an MP, in the name of ‘Allah’,” he said.

He added that he had raised the issue many times through the proper channel in the party but no action was taken, instead the issues had gone from bad to worst.

During the press conference that was also attended by former PKR Secretary-General Datuk Sallehudin Hashim, Mohsin said he was ridiculed, given no chance to defend himself on accusations levelled against him while those who were unfaithful were given posts and status in the Pakatan Rakyat administration.

However, he reiterated that he had no problems or misunderstanding with PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim whom he considered like his own brother.

“But the relationship cannot be used as a reason to sideline my believes and struggles,” he said.

In PETALING JAYA, meanwhile, 12 PKR MPs today pledged their undivided support for the party and quashed any rumours and speculation that they would leave the party, as claimed by some blogs.

Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas who represented the group said all the MPs would remain firm and support the leadership.

“We have made our stand to quash any speculation by irresponsible people who are out to disrupt the unity in the party,” he told reporters at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana here today, attended by 10 of the 12 MPs as Kelana Jaya MP Gwo-Burne Loh and N. Gobalakrishnan from Padang Serai did not attend as they had prior commitments.

Among those present were Ahmad Kassim (Kuala Kedah), Yusmadi Yusoff (Balik Pulau), S. Manikavasagam (Kapar), Datuk Rashid Din (Merbok), Azan Ismail (Indera Mahkota), Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan), Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (Kuala Langat), Ab Aziz Ab Kadir (Ketereh) and Amran Ab Ghani (Tanah Merah).

Kamarul Baharin said Mohsin’s decision to quit the party could be due to personal reasons that was not brought to the attention of the party leadership.

Meanwhile, Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff said PKR need to re-look and rectify flaws since decisions to quit the party have become rampant.

On Monday, Salehuddin had claimed that 10 MPs would leave the party soon.