PKR remains intact despite the exit of 11 MPs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PKR president said this after a meeting with the party’s MPs, state assemblymen and leaders.
“The party is intact. All 39 MPs were here, (including) state assemblymen and the entire leadership.
“They expressed remorse as they were not privy to some of the backdoor deals undertaken by some party leaders.
“They feel betrayed,” Anwar said to reporters at PKR’s headquarters in Merchant Square on Sunday (March 1).
He also said that the followers of sacked PKR MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali were innocent as they are not aware of any alleged conspiracy to topple the government.
“They don’t know. They just follow through. Now, they feel betrayed. Nobody told them about these lies and conspiracy to topple the government and have a backdoor arrangement.”
Anwar said even worse were the PKR leaders involved in the conspiracy.
“Institutional reforms are not on their agenda. Because the only arrangement is to secure power,” he said.
Anwar also said Azmin’s supporters should not be solely blamed as they were merely supporting the Gombak MP as the PKR deputy president at that time.
“So, if there are people supporting him, it’s not wrong… Sometimes, we have to understand that the grassroots are unhappy and maybe some of it is not resolved.
“So, it is my duty to redakan (calm down) and strengthen the party again,” he said.
At the same time, Anwar stressed that he would stick with his principles and not accept race-based parties.
“I stick to my principles. The vast majority (of Malaysians) are Malays, but it’s a multiracial country and I do not condone any racist agenda.
“I believe consistently that the plight of the people, irrespective of race, must be given the priority,” he said.
He said the time has come to close ranks and move on for the sake of the people.
He said Malaysia’s economy at the moment was in dire straits and it was where the attention of all should be.
“Our economy is in a dire state, hence we need to re-focus the economy.
“We cannot depend on those who have been abusing power and enriching themselves to champion the common cause of the people.
“The plight of the workers, the farmers and fishermen, they need to be protected,” he said.
On whether the eight prime minister’s post was stolen from him, Anwar replied: “Clearly there was treachery, but as I said, we have to move on.”
He said he was magnanimous enough to accept that the Pakatan Harapan coalition needs to form an understanding with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We did only to help secure this nation and to save it from those who are prone to corruption and abuse of power.”