28 October 2009
Dear Editor,
I wish to bring to your attention a couple of Malaysiakini news pieces that of late have placed Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in underserved bad light due to alleged accounts of in-fighting and dissensions within the party that have depended largely on unnamed so called “insider sources/ accounts.”
Two recent reports come to mind “Sabah chief throws ‘tantrums’ at PKR meet” (15 October 2009) which I have already clarified with a press statement; and now the latest report “PKR sec-gen denies quit rumours” (27 October 2009) which had several hours earlier appeared in a more scandalous form but has since been amended. As far as the party leadership is concerned, it has not received any resignation letter and Salehuddin Hashim remains PKR’s secretary-general. But the damage has been done: another report on in-fighting and dissensions in PKR. It would be interesting if Malaysiakini could confront these “sources” and demand for a copy of the “strongly-worded letter of resignation.”
While it is not in PKR’s place nor is it desirable for a political party to influence editorial policies of an independent news organisation like Malaysiakini, I found these pieces have been far too reliant on unnamed “insider sources/ accounts” that have exaggerated or told half truths or simply lies of particular party affairs.
While I do not doubt that there are “insider sources” for whatever devious plans and motives have been leaking out such information to Malaysiakini, I would request that you take more care and consideration in basing reports on these unnamed “insider sources/ accounts”; press for them to be named if they want to be taken seriously; and to scrupulously verify from other sources who have no qualms to be named.
There now seems to be a concerted campaign to portray PKR as a party mired in deep internal trouble and I hope Malaysiakini which has been the leading new media over the last decade can exercise better journalism and avoid being manipulated towards that end.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Latheefa Koya
Information Chief of PKR
Good response Ms Latheefa…
There are too many agent provocateurs around…We have greater challenges ahead.
PKR must show it has splendid crisis management team.
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Most of Malaysiakini’s subsscribers are pro-Pakatan supporters. If Malaysiakini does not portray a fair practice, senang aje… jangan renew subscription.
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noh Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I sgree with this and support 100%
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It would be good to know to what extent the accusations of in-fighting and dissension were true. I mean, it would be good to know how much of what is printed is true. It should not be solely up to the media to represent the organization. PKR itself should represent itself in ways that are not self-serving, that invite criticism. Because PKR and Pakatan Rakyat are invested in the idea that criticism improves an organization.
Han
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As Pakatan wobbles, some start questioning Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — October is shaping up to be make or break month for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition.
PKR is fraying at the seams with Jeffrey Kitingan and his allies in Sabah parting ways with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s party.
The constant speculation over the future of PKR secretary-general Datuk Sallehuddin Hashim also adds to the impression that the party is not on a firm footing.
And the troubles surrounding PAS were the last thing the coalition needed.
Last night, PAS leaders averted the possibility of a potentially damaging EGM called by its spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat to remove what he described as “problematic leaders” who were not entirely committed to PR.
The party’s central committee promised to set up a disciplinary investigation into the problems the party is facing in Selangor.
And party leaders declared, yet again, that PAS was committed to the PR coalition.
But the public will still need some convincing on PAS’s direction.
There appears to be less fear and respect now for Anwar. — File pic
And realistically the PR coalition cannot survive without PAS.
This is because without the structure and support base of PAS it will be hard for the coalition to move ahead with its ambitions of snaring Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional (BN).
While DAP remains relatively stable, PKR remains the weak link in the PR coalition despite the fact that it has the most elected representatives of the three partners.
Instead of addressing its problems PKR leaders appear to be still in denial mode and this was epitomised by remarks made yesterday by its political bureau member Tian Chua.
Chua blamed the media for various “confusing reports” over speculation about Sallehuddin’s apparent resignation.
But it has already become an open secret that Sallehuddin is unhappy with the party. And his resignation could well be a matter of when and not if.
In PKR there appears to be less fear and respect now for Anwar.
That is why Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and others are willing to go their own way and are questioning some of Anwar’s positions, strategies and appointments.
Zaid, who was sacked from Umno and joined PKR amid some fanfare, had been given the job of formulating a common platform for the three-party coalition.
But the recent flap over his wish to visit Sabah and Sarawak amid an open revolt in the two states caused him to announce his six-month leave from party political work.
What is happening in PKR appears to be a result of its own unwillingness to confront problems early on and effectively.
Even some of Anwar’s and PR’s biggest supporters among the network of Internet bloggers who helped galvanise support for the opposition during Election 2008 appear to be growing disillusioned.
While many of these pro-PR bloggers still express commitment to the opposition coalition, some of them are questioning Anwar’s leadership.
Prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin wrote yesterday of Anwar going into “self-destruct mode.”
“Anwar Ibrahim and many of the opposition leaders have this false feeling of grandeur… but are not grand and certainly far from great.
“They did not make March 2008 happen. The people made it happen. And what the people make the people can break. And the people are of the opinion that the opposition leaders, Anwar included, have lost their direction.”
ZIK:
I believe PKR should not blame the media but the party itself, last night Jefry and Liew resigned their post respectively..was not a drama too???PKR should adhere to freedom of press especially the new media..because as the Malay saying”kalu tiada angin tak kan pokok bergoyong”.
I think Pn Laftheya knows very well how the media especially NBC attacked their white house..maybe it’s not true maybe it’s true but it keeps Obama Administration on its toe.
PKR you guys should be on you toe al the time as the people are counting on you to help us and not wasting this valuable period bickering among each other..let BN do that among themself..we don’t PAKATAN to do the same..
To DSAI,
WE still believe you and I still believe you!!Pls maintan our trush that we granted upon you!
For haven sake..do something dont let people see PAKATAN as another hopeless brand of politics!!!WAKE UP!!WAKE UP!!
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Lembing tumpul Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Mr,to those likes shaffer….pliz turn forward,don`t sykeels likes mary goes round&round&round…
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I have stopped buying the absolutely BN controlled papers and so are my friends…..all rubbish,lopsided news.
Quite depended on Malaysiakini. We have to caution u Malaysiakini for more reliable news that we expect to read. The Rakyat is depended on you to a certain extent. Take care.
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yop Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
terlalu taksub hehehheehhe
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Dear Ms Latheefa,
You must be working very hard. Make it harder and tell the Press you have better info.
Otherwise, please just get more info and disclaim other statements that are not accurate.
If this keeps on, you and the party you represent will have difficulties with everyone.
Keep to the stated aims of transparency and accountability.
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I’ve been a staunch supporter of DAP since the time I was eligible to vote. And now I’m a staunch supporter of Pakatan Rakyat.
Right now with all the misconceptions of PR, I think the PR leaders need to improve their pr(public relations) campaign to clear up all these misconceptions. For a start, all PR leaders like DSAI, Tok Guru, LKS, LGE, ZI, NJ should perhaps hold press conferences to dispell all these notions that PR is on the verge of breaking up.
Nino
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In the words of another writer: When Malaysiakini puts up something damning about Barisan, they are freedom fighters. When Malaysiakini puts up something damning about Pakatan, they are sensationalists.
Double standards much, PKR? Get your act together.
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Everyone in Sabah knows Jeffry Kitingan too well. He was previously with PBS, PBRS and Akar. His stay with these parties were short lived all because he wanted to be the head honcho of the party. With Jeffry out of PKR in Sabah we hope committed leaders will stand up and fight the corrupted BN and form the next state government
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Wow-wow, jangan cuba ajar media cara buat kerja. Mereka tak makan gaji dengan PKR. Jangan langkah bendul nanti ada harganya kena bayar. Bangkai gajah kalau tutup akhirnya berbau juga. Lain kali jika tak mahu rahsia dalaman terkeluar, buat macam Ganeson di Perak. Handfon, kamera, pen, jam tangan semua dilarang masuk. Kasutpun kena buka kot-kot ada hidden audio perakam kecil. Guna pensil sahaja dalam mesyuarat. Sebelum masuk bilik mesyuarat scan tubuh badan macam dilapangan terbang. Lepas mesuarat semua kena angkat sumpah tak bercerita diluar.
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Devan Reply:
October 31st, 2009 at 10:58 am
Ganeson…siapa…Speaker Haram di Perak ke?
Mana ada democracy di Perak ??? Semua nya 1 Black Malaysia !!
Saya dah berhenti tonton TV 3, RTM dan tak beli Star.Straits Times …dan lain lain.
Malaysia dibawah UMNO (Bukan BN) mana boleh media melapurkan berita benar??
Cuba lihat di Perak jambatan yang runtuh. Syarikat yang berkaitan dengan UMNO yang telah membina jambatan tu. Tapi media mana yang buat ‘investigative reporting’ ”
Media di bawah UMNO ..kena ikut cakap orang UMNO…..
1 Black Malaysia !!!!!!
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CicitTunSaban Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Nie kalu dah tak hormat kat Sultasn lebih baik balik negerileh . . .aku nie keturunan Tun Saban yang bawa Sultan Beraja di Negeri Perak . .engkorang apa tahu baru pegang 10 bulan dah nak jual Perak 999 . . .lansattt kerajaan Bristish tak seteeruk kerajaan Pakatan ( DAP ) sama taraf parti kominis
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Fairdinkum ,
whatever squabbles inside or outside the next GE make Pakatan Rakyat
the one and only choice, cheers.
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its not fair to put the pressure on media, wat else independant medias like Mkini.
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sybas ms latheefa teruskan perjuangan kamu.
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