PKR's wardrobe malfunction and 'missing' MP

By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia Today,

KOTA BARU: PKR has just concluded its sixth national congress, where its leaders, among others, spoke about their march towards seizing the administrative capital of Putrajaya and ushering change for the nation.
While most agree that change is fundamental to a nation's progress, there are those in PKR who feel that the party must first get its act together, starting with the dress code.
Delegates, particularly the men, were seen adorning the official uniform according to their own designs and colours, with FMT spotting at least 10 different styles.
Commenting on this, Penang delegate Zulfazdli Mohd Noordin urged the party leadership to standardise the uniform.
"If we cannot address a simple thing like the standardisation of the men's uniform, how are we going to tackle the bigger issues facing the rakyat?” asked the PKR Youth delegate from Bayan Baru.
Some of the “misfit uniforms” appeared totally irrelevant to PKR such as the one worn by the Kedah Youth delegates, where the blue and white colours made them look more like Barisan Nasional members.
The boys from Pahang, on the other hand, were clad in black and white, with the word “PKR” printed in small letters on the back, whereas delegates from the Titiwangsa division paraded about in red and brown stripes.
Kamarul goes to US
Meanwhile, a notable absentee at the three-day congress was Teluk Kemang MP and PKR supreme council member Kamarul Baharin Abbas.
FMT learnt that Kamarul is apparently in the United States attending to a personal matter regarding his children, who are studying there.
However, one Negri Sembilan delegate, who declined to be named, found the situation to be suspicious.
“How many times does he have to go to the US for this? He went there two months ago for the same reason,” he added
The suspicion is well founded since speculation has been rife that Kamarul is all set to join the PKR defectors' club and declare himself an independent MP. Kamarul, however, has denied this.
MB Khalid steals the show
Undoubtedly, the star of the event award must righfully go to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who came under a steady stream of attacks.
Criticism centred on the percieved inefficiency of the Selangor government, specifically on matters that fall under the MB's portfolio.
Rawang state assemblywoman Gan Pei Nei, in representing the women's wing, said that apart from setting a Key Performance Index (KPI) to gauge the effectiveness of elected reps and local councillors, the state government must also act against state officers who fail to carry out their duties according to Pakatan Rakyat's policies.
"These officers must be replaced especially if they become a stumbling block to reformation,” she said.
Kuala Lumpur delegate Rozan Azen reminded Khalid that Selangor is the “role model” for Pakatan states due to its strategic location and strong financial position.
"Time is running out and Khalid must move fast. Many delegates have voiced their displeasure against the MB; I hope he will take the criticism in a positive manner,” he said.