Zaid quits race for PKR No 2, all party posts

Published: Monday November 8, 2010 MYT 9:22:00 AM
Updated: Monday November 8, 2010 MYT 10:04:11 AM
Zaid quits race for PKR No 2, all party posts

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has quit the PKR deputy presidential race saying the party "leadership actively condone malpractices and electoral fraud to achieve its designed objectives."

"I wish to announce my withdrawal as a candidate from the contest of deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and my resignation from all posts held in the party," said Zaid in a statement Monday.

Zaid also resigned as the party's political bureau member, Federal Territory chief and Wangsa Maju chief.

He said he decided to pull out of the No 2 due to blatant vote manipulation.

He said "there is no attempt on the part of the party leadership to address the various issues of manipulation and unfair electoral practices, although these issues were raised repeatedly.

"It is of utmost disappointment that I am unable to continue in this flawed election process," he said.

Earlier, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had denied claims of vote manipulation despite numerous complaints of irregularities during divisions as well as central party polls.

Below is the full text of Zaid's statement.

" I wish to announce my withdrawal as a candidate from the contest of Deputy President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and my resignation from all posts held in the party.

"I was offered to join this party under the belief that I could promote enlightened and progressive politics; nurture and develop principled political values and culture that I consider indispensable to the development of democracy and good governance in this country. I was mistaken.

"Over the course of the party elections, events have shown that the leadership actively condones malpractices and electoral fraud to achieve its designed objectives.

"I am certain that any political party with such hypocritical and false values will not be able to offer meaningful reforms to the people of this country.

"I have made this decision because there is no attempt on the part of the party leadership to address the various issues of manipulation and unfair electoral practices, although these issues were raised repeatedly.

"I wish to thank all the members who have supported me and placed their faith in the cause of reform.

"It is of utmost disappointment that I am unable to continue in this flawed election process.

"I remain committed to the Opposition’s cause and will continue to speak about the issues of the common people.

"Together, we will continue our unabated struggle towards a better government for the people.

"Finally, I hope those adoring fans of Anwar Ibrahim will no longer regard me as a “spoiler” standing in the way of their march to Putrajaya. I wish them well."

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