10 000 Grassroots In Penang May Quit If Zuraida Sacked Say Supporters

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About 150 PKR members, representing 13 parliamentary constituencies and 15 NGOs, participate in a peaceful rally outside the state party office in Bayan Baru, Penang today, in a show of solidarity with their embattled vice-president Zuraida Kamarudin
The group, including the state's Wanita members, carried placards and chanted slogans like "Reformasi, lawan tetap lawan, hidup Zuraida" and "ZK power!" in support of the housing and local government minister
Zuraida's special officer Harris Idham said party grassroots will not hesitate to follow their leader if she is sacked from the party
Asked how many members would leave the party with Zuraida if she were sacked, spokesperson for the group, Persatuan Penggerak Muafakat Nasional Pulau Pinang chairperson Shahrudin Mohd Shariff said about 10,000

"But we will fight first within the party, it is not so easy for us to give it up," he said
Shahrudin added, these grassroots supporters were from the 13 parliament seats and 15 NGOs which Zuraida helped set up in Penang
Shahrudin said PKR members were disappointed the party practised "selective prosecution" towards Zuraida
"We are also upset that there were central committee members and groups who called for Zuraida's sacking when such decisions lie with the party leadership," he said
"Such behaviour went against the party's discipline but no action was taken against them, just because Zuraida spoke the truth, she is being disciplined," he added
"Where is democracy and freedom of speech in the party which we fought for since 1999, 20 years ago?" On Jan 16, Zuraida was served a show-cause letter over remarks against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at a dinner last December
Zuraida, known to be strongly aligned to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, spoke during a gathering on Dec 8
This was at the height of a perceived rift within the party, which was marked by a walkout from the final day of PKR's annual congress
Despite Anwar making various public overtures to reconcile with Azmin, who together with Zuraida, attended the party's political bureau meeting on Jan 9 after over a year of absence, PKR appears to still be in a turmoil due to factional fights
As there are various rallies in support of Zuraida happening in several states, Anwar had issued a statement, urging his rebel members to disperse
"The rallies will not influence the party's disciplinary committee," Anwar (below) said
Asked to comment, Shahrudin said "We did nothing wrong"
"We just wish to show our support for Zuraida who helped us a lot in Penang
"Most of us were marginalised in the party and Zuraida helped us," he said
"We cannot be at the headquarters so we rally here to express our views, we hope Anwar listens to the grassroots, without us, there is no president, party or ruling government". - Mkini

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