As PKR burgeons, resentment against new members

By Adib Zalkapli (The Malaysian Insider)

SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 — A delegate at the PKR annual national congress today said undesirable elements are trying to penetrate into the party after general election, reflecting a growing divide between older members and those who have joined the party after March 8.

Ling says new members should not be judged based on their occupation. — Pic by Choo Choy May

Lau Teck Hai from Johor urged party leaders to be careful when accepting new members who switch allegiances for personal gain, in what was a dig at newer members who may have been previously from Barisan Nasional (BN) parties.

“There are alongs (loan sharks) and gangsters who are now trying to get into PKR,” said Lau without referring to any specific case.

When met after delivering his speech, Lau said the problem is isolated but he believed the party should address it.

“Of course in a democracy we should allow everyone to join the party,” Lau told The Malaysian Insider adding that a thorough background check is necessary.

Yesterday PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali slammed party leaders who are not keen in accepting new members.

“Sometimes these small groups do not like to see the emergence of better, new leaders. And they are not prepared to accept new members for fear that their position will be threatened,” said Syed Husin when opening the party’s Youth and Wanita congress.

PKR Youth exco Ginie Lim said new members who joined after the general election should not be treated differently.

“As a party that upholds democracy, we welcome everyone, but I don’t think new members should be labelled differently,” said Lim.

She said that some members who joined after March 8 have proven themselves and have worked hard to strengthen the party.

Lim added that the party has a system to take disciplinary action against members who act against the interest of the party.

“Members must have confidence in the party’s structure,” she told The Malaysian Insider.

For former Wanita MCA exco member Felicia Ling who joined PKR last May, members should not discriminate against new members on the basis of their occupation.

“Are you saying if tycoons join the party we’ll end up practicing cronyism and if loan sharks join, they will bring in gangsters and start a new triad in the party?” asked Ling in response to Lau’s speech.

“We can’t stop these people from joining, if the party bans certain people then we are being judgmental,” said Ling who was appointed the PKR Wanita exco after she joined the party.

“Let them join and see how they can contribute to the party and to the society,” she added.

Since joining PKR, Ling, a lawyer, has been active in organising party activities to strengthen the party’s grassroots in her division Cheras.

She said that PKR must be strong enough to resist the undesirable elements without discriminating against anyone.

“Obviously if you are not organised anyone can join in and rock the boat,” said Ling.