By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 8: Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is defending his deputy presidential post, is confident that money cannot buy the spirit and integrity of Sarawakians during the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state election, which will take place in 29 divisions this weekend.
In expressing his joy at seeing a big turnout at the PKR Sarawak dinner here last night (Nov 7), Azmin, who is also Economic Affairs Minister, believed that the spirit demonstrated by party members and leaders in Sarawak would be translated into another historical milestone and victory this weekend.
“It will show that the people of Sarawak cannot be bought by ‘taukeh-taukeh’. We do not have millions of ringgit. We do not have private jets. We only have the spirit and ideals. Never let the ‘taukeh-taukeh’ snatch away and destroy the struggles of PKR.
“We are going to a battle not against our enemies but to defend and safeguard PKR, which was founded on the reform agenda, not for individual or for group or for family but for the people as a whole.
“We reject cronyism, we reject nepotism, and we reject corruption. Don’t destroy or damage the party with money politics.”
Azmin said he was not mad but just furious while noting that recent controversies engulfing the party’s forthcoming election in Sarawak, particularly in Julau division, could cause upsets because membership in that division ballooned overnight from a few hundred members to some 13,000 members in June this year.
“Don’t lean on taukehs, and don’t ever play money politics in the party’s election.”
He congratulated the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for probing allegations and complaints of corrupt practices, where several individuals had been detained, questioned and investigated.
He called on the MACC to continue with their in-depth investigations not only to check on who was involved but to bring the instigator or mastermind to justice.
“Don’t destroy what we have built for 20 years just because you want to put your children, uncles or any relatives (to gain power through positions), that you insult the members who have long struggled to put things right and justice in place.
“I believe all of us here tonight have been in the party for a long time, not a year or two but tens of years. The struggles we have been through to build the party in Sarawak was not an easy one (because) this is not Selangor or Penang or Johor. This is the state of Sarawak, with such a vast area and the challenges are great.
“We have fought hard to push out Barisan Nasional (BN) and PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu), and that was not easy. So, I must salute all members of PKR Sarawak for their commitment because you are still here to defend our party’s struggles.”
Azmin assured that he would continue to stand strong and tall after all the attacks and tests that he had gone through for the past 20 years because he was certain that PKR is the party that he wanted to continue to defend.
“I am grateful that I, together with my friends, have managed to get the majority of support from PKR members. Out of four vice-presidents, three are with me to continue our struggles, while out of the 20 Central Leadership Council members, 16 are from ‘Gerakan Membingkai Muafakat’ (theme for his campaign) to continue with the reform agenda.”
He urged members to come out in droves to vote this weekend if they genuinely wanted to protect the ‘Keadilan’ against cheaters, pests and bribery.
“Choose party leadership and politics that care about members and the people as well as love Sarawak and want to develop PKR.”
PKR Sarawak chairman Baru Bian, PKR Sarawak vice-chairman See Chee How, PKR Sarawak Women chief Nurhanim Mokhsen, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin, Krian assemblyman Ali Biju and PKR National Women vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni were among those present. — DayakDaily
