PORT DICKSON: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will continue to function and work as a united team said its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this was despite the conspicuous absence of deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali at the party’s three-day Central Leadership Council Retreat programme which concluded today.
Anwar said the question of whether PKR would continue to work as a team following rumours of a widening rift in the Pakatan Harapan component party was irrelevant.
“Azmin is the deputy president and works together with me as a team, regulating meetings and discussions.
“He was given the mandate during the party’s election,” the Port Dickson member of parliament told a press conference at the conclusion of the retreat.
He said 20 PKR leaders who did not attend the retreat would be given ample time to read and understand the resolutions adopted at the event, before they decided on their pledge of support.
“Don’t preempt. Those who didn’t come have given reasonable excuse and we can always request for an explanation later,” he said.
PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin had explained that she was unable to attend as she had government engagements.
Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said: “The majority of those who were absent had given their reasons, but in Azmin’s case I had tried to contact his secretary and his staff.
“I tried my best to (persuade) him, but to no avail.
“The last time I was in contact (with Azmin) was on Friday, when the first session of the PKR retreat took place and I spoke with his secretary.
“I have done my best, including issuing a notice and contacting his office, but he said he had other commitments,” he said.