Penang Pkr Division Chief Expresses Sadness Over Mansor S Criticism

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A Penang PKR division chief has expressed sadness over the disappointment felt by former state party chairperson Mansor Othman, who claimed the recent committee meeting was not conducted properly
"I am sad that Mansor feels disappointed and did not attend the meeting. If he had turned up, he would be consulted as he was accorded (the post) of adviser to the Penang state line-up," said the party's Bukit Bendera chief Jason Ong Khan Lee (photo above)
"As PKR's former state chief, Mansor's views are highly appreciated and welcomed
" His years of loyalty, contributions and service to the party have not gone unnoticed and certainly, his experience and leadership are still much needed in the party," added Ong, who is a two-term Kebun Bunga assemblyperson
"Under Mansor's leadership, PKR has managed to win all 14 state seats and four parliamentary seats, a record that makes it the first for PKR in Penang,"Ong said in a statement
Ong was referring to Mansor's criticism that the state committee meeting held on Jan 13, which saw the appointment of Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Bakhtiar Wan Chik as acting state chief, was not convened according to procedures
Mansor (photo), who has helmed the state party since 1999, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim should have chaired the meeting and not his daughter, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah
He also questioned why Bakhtiar, the Balik Pulau MP, was appointed as "acting chief" and not a full-fledged head of Penang PKR
"Even if the sky falls or earth opens up, I don't care anymore," he said, adding that no one cares about his opinion anymore
Anwar had earlier appointed Nurul Izzah as the state chief but she had resigned from all party and government posts on Dec 16 although the state's division chiefs had wanted her to stay
This led to the party in Penang being "headless and leaderless" for several months, resulting in Seberang Jaya assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin urging the party to urgently appoint a chief
Nurul Izzah has been contacted about the matter but has yet to respond
Ong said he had earlier on his own accord proposed to the leadership that Mansor be appointed as the adviser to the state liaison committee which has been agreed upon
"Even though Nurul Izzah had earlier tendered her resignation, it has not been accepted by the president," Ong said
"In her capacity as chairperson, she then relayed the president's appointment of Baktiar as the acting chief of Penang PKR, with the endorsement of the state liaison committee," he added
"Nurul is currently on a leave of absence with Anwar's blessing
"In light of the circumstances, we should give the new leadership the opportunity and time to lead and take the party to greater heights," he said. - Mkini

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