Sacked Seputeh PKR branch chief P Ganapathy has kicked off an Asalkan Bukan Anwar Ibrahim (anyone but Anwar Ibrahim) initiative, saying the party president was not fit to be a prime minister.
“Even though Anwar is the source of inspiration for PKR’s battle since its formation, I regret to inform that recently, I feel that he is actually not qualified to lead PKR, what more becoming the prime minister of Malaysia, as proclaimed by his loyalists.
“This is in conflict with the core battle of PKR which is to scrape off elements of cronyism and nepotism, where leaders of a party should actually be exhibiting an attitude that practices meritocracy in appointments.
“Looks like meritocracy has been neglected,” Ganapathy said during a press conference today.
Ganapathy also alleged that Anwar practised divisive politics.
“A reformist would not play divisive politics to remain in power. If he can divide the party, he can divide the nation,” he said.
On his sacking, Ganapathy revealed that he only found out about it from the news, but later received an official letter dated July 16 from the party on Thursday evening.
“But the letter did not state any reason for my sacking,” he added.
Ganapathy was said to have broken the party’s code of ethics by repeatedly posting and sharing untrue, defamatory and malicious statements against his leaders on social media.
However, Ganapathy said he was sacked from the party for criticising its leadership in a WhatsApp group consisting of Anwar and all branch leaders.
“They sacked me for asking questions the president didn’t want to hear…I merely posted videos and allegations posted on social media and sought Anwar’s clarification.
“I never said anything against the party. My comments were targeted at the individual helming the party.
“Now that they have sacked me, I am free to express my views openly,” he told a press conference on Friday (July 19).
Ganapathy also accused Anwar of practising nepotism cronyism in the party elections late last year.
“He appointed some of those who had lost in the party elections as supreme council members.
“He chose people who were rejected by the grassroots as long as they supported him. What kind of reformation is that?” he said, alluding to PKR’s reformasi battle cry.
Ganapathy also claimed that Anwar had sidelined Azmin Ali despite the latter having been with him “through thick and thin for 30 years, long before PKR was formed”.
Meanwhile, Ganapathy said he is a lifetime member who has been with the party since its inception in 1998.
“I even went bald to pray for Anwar’s freedom when he was imprisoned.
“If Anwar has no qualms sacking a member like me, who has dedicated time and resources to the party without demanding any post in return, imagine how he would treat the rakyat?” he alleged.
Ganapathy declared that he had no issue working with any other party leader, including ex-president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Anwar’s wife.
He said he would seek his lawyer’s advice before going on a roadshow to raise awareness on his “Anyone But Anwar Ibrahim” campaign.