PKR claims that its former Padang Serai MP is trapped in a racial mindset, and his departure from the party is a welcome development.
PETALING JAYA: PKR has denounced Padang Serai MP and former party stalwart N Gobalakrishnan as a “racist”.
Party commnications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that many ex-leaders had accused the party of sidelining certain races but these people were trapped in racist mindsets.
“It is appropriate that leaders such as Gobala, who is still trapped in the old mentality, to leave the party. The rakyat will judge him in the next election and PKR will continue to move forward as a progressive multiracial party,” he said in a press statement.
Nik Nazmi also compared Gobalakrishnan to Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin, who accused PKR of betraying the Malays.
He added that the Padang Serai MP only aired his views after he was defeated in the race for vice-presidency in the recent party election.
Despite being a once PKR loyalist and diehard supporter of party supremo Anwar Ibrahim, Gobalakrishnan quit the party on Saturday, citing differences with the leadership.
He also claimed that the party was not paying attention to its Indian members.
The Padang Serai MP was first seen incessantly attacking the party – particularly deputy president Azmin Ali – after lawyer N Surendran was appointed as vice-president.
Annoyed by his criticisms, the party slapped him with a 45-page show-cause letter.
Gobalakrishnan’s resignation also prompted his former comrades to demand that he quit as an MP as well.
Meanwhile, the PKR communications director also disputed Gobalakrishnan’s claim that the party leadership was racially unbalanced.
Gobalakrishnan had previously alleged that although Indians made up 40% of PKR’s membership, its leaders, however, were 90% Malay.
However, Nik Nazmi said that this statement could not be further from the truth.
“From PKR’s 371,612 members, Malays form 45%, Chinese 11%, Indians 23%, Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera and others 21%.
“At the same time, the central leadership council for 2010 to 2013 consists of Malays 62%, Chinese 20%, Indians 12%, Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera and others 4%,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: PKR has denounced Padang Serai MP and former party stalwart N Gobalakrishnan as a “racist”.Party commnications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that many ex-leaders had accused the party of sidelining certain races but these people were trapped in racist mindsets.
“It is appropriate that leaders such as Gobala, who is still trapped in the old mentality, to leave the party. The rakyat will judge him in the next election and PKR will continue to move forward as a progressive multiracial party,” he said in a press statement.
Nik Nazmi also compared Gobalakrishnan to Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin, who accused PKR of betraying the Malays.
He added that the Padang Serai MP only aired his views after he was defeated in the race for vice-presidency in the recent party election.
Despite being a once PKR loyalist and diehard supporter of party supremo Anwar Ibrahim, Gobalakrishnan quit the party on Saturday, citing differences with the leadership.
He also claimed that the party was not paying attention to its Indian members.
The Padang Serai MP was first seen incessantly attacking the party – particularly deputy president Azmin Ali – after lawyer N Surendran was appointed as vice-president.
Annoyed by his criticisms, the party slapped him with a 45-page show-cause letter.
Gobalakrishnan’s resignation also prompted his former comrades to demand that he quit as an MP as well.
Meanwhile, the PKR communications director also disputed Gobalakrishnan’s claim that the party leadership was racially unbalanced.
Gobalakrishnan had previously alleged that although Indians made up 40% of PKR’s membership, its leaders, however, were 90% Malay.
However, Nik Nazmi said that this statement could not be further from the truth.
“From PKR’s 371,612 members, Malays form 45%, Chinese 11%, Indians 23%, Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera and others 21%.
“At the same time, the central leadership council for 2010 to 2013 consists of Malays 62%, Chinese 20%, Indians 12%, Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera and others 4%,” he said.
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