Zuraida, others explain PKR retreat absences.
PKR vice-president Tian Chua, who was among several senior party members absent at the opening of the party’s inaugural retreat here Friday (July 19) night, turned up for a session on Saturday (July 20) morning.
Tian Chua, who is seen to be aligned to deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, mingled with journalists during tea break and then went back in for the next session where president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is due to deliver his opening speech.
When asked to comment on the so-called rift between the party’s top two leaders, Tian Chua merely smiled and said he would provide them with an analysis later.
Other PKR leaders conspicuously missing from Friday’s opening event that was attended by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir were Azmin and vice-presidents Zuraida Kamaruddin, women’s wing chief Haniza Talha, and youth wing deputy chief Muhammad Hilman Idham.
Some 15 MPs, as well as 21 members of its central leadership council, did not show up.
Azmin is due to deliver a speech tonight. However, it cannot be established if he would turn up.
Separately, it is learnt that another five state PKR chiefs have signed a pledge in support of Anwar, bringing the total to 11.
It cannot be immediately established who the five were.
Six PKR state chiefs – representing Perlis, Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu, Federal Territories and Kelantan – have signed a statement stating that they fully supported Anwar.
Three PKR state chiefs that have not signed a letter of support backing Anwar are Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, Selangor chief Amirudin Shaari and former Johor PKR chief Hassan Abdul Karim.
Hassan did not sign the letter, as he had already vacated his position.
According to Terengganu PKR chief Azan Ismail, the other PKR chiefs have been trying to contact Amirudin but have not been able to reach him.
“We have been calling him but he has not been answering our calls, at least until now, and he is also not here today, so far,” Azan said.
“Farhash definitely backs Anwar, but he is just not able to personally sign the letter,” he added.
Farhash who Anwar’s political secretary, is currently under police remand and therefore is not able to personally sign the letter of support, Azan pointed out.
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin said others could make “insinuations” on why she did not attend but said it was due to her having to be present at the World Firefighters’ Day event today at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur and having to fly to Surabaya, Indonesia on Sunday.
“I have other things to do. I have firefighting of a different kind,” she was quoted as saying by The Star.
PKR Wanita chief Haniza Talha said she had sought to clear her schedule for the retreat but was unable to attend, noting that many programmes usually happen during the weekend and she had to settle things before leaving for Surabaya also on Sunday.
“The PKR retreat is not actually a retreat because all the branch leaders from all states will be present as well,” she was quoted as saying.
Haniza who is a Selangor lawmaker will be going with Zuraida who is housing and local government minister to visit a public housing programme in Surabaya.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah was having an official meeting in Indonesia last night, The Star said.
