PKR delegates back bold amendments
Tarani PalaniPublished: Jun 13, 2009 5:27 PM | Updated: Jun 13, 2009 7:40 PM
PKR delegates at the party’s extraordinary national congress today gave their stamp of approval to major constitutional changes after four and a half hours of “lively debate” held behind closed doors.
PKR delegates at the party’s extraordinary national congress today gave their stamp of approval to major constitutional changes after four and a half hours of “lively debate” held behind closed doors.
According to party communications director Jonson Chong (left in photo), 1,064 representatives from all states, as well as those from the youth and women’s wing, “voted overwhelmingly in favour of change and democracy”.
“After an emotional vote-counting process, the votes in favour of the reforms numbered 941, with 103 against and 9 abstentions,” said Chong at the end of the one-day special meeting which was held at the Selangor International Islamic University in Bangi.
Among the key amendments are:
Chong said that the delegates voted in favour of all the amendments “en bloc”.
Existing Youth leaders may lose out
Malaysiakini has learnt that several delegates spoke out strongly against a number of the proposed amendments during the closed-door debate.
Negeri Sembilan delegate Nordin Ismail argued that changing the terms from ‘bahagian’ (division) to 'cabang' and from ‘cawangan’ to 'ranting' (branch) were not exactly "progressive".
He instead proposed that those terms should be changed to ‘zone’ and ‘area’ (kawasan) respectively. Nordin’s suggestion was said to be well-received by the delegates.
Another delegate argued that the age limit of the Youth wing should be put off as the time was not right for such a radical change.
There are fears that many top Youth leaders will lose out as a result of the amendment as they will be above the new age limit.
What the delegates say
Marlina Abdullah, 47, Setiawangsa, Federal Territory
I agree with the amendments. Every member can have a say in electing the party’s leader. We also agree with the 30 percent leadership positions for women. After all, women play a strong role in the party as well.
As for the youth wing, I feel some people who are between 35-40 who are still with the youth wing may find the amendments a little difficult.
Abdul Hamid Ali, 58, Larut, Perak
These amendments are good. It does make the party more liberal and democratic. Also anyone can vote for the top leadership.
The 30 percent leadership positions for women is also a good thing.
Shaharudin Tanip, 63, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
These changes are good as they will propel the party even further. If we just have the branch leaders elect the top leadership, you may get different factions here and there. But if everyone can vote, it will help curb money politics, as it will be difficult to buy everyone’s votes.
Furthermore, grassroot members know who does the job and who does not (in the top leadership)
G Muniandy, 41, Gerik, Perak
These changes are good. I don’t think there will be displeasure in the youth wing with regards to the lowering of the age from 40 to 35. If they put the party’s interest first, there should be no problems.
According to party communications director Jonson Chong (left in photo), 1,064 representatives from all states, as well as those from the youth and women’s wing, “voted overwhelmingly in favour of change and democracy”.“After an emotional vote-counting process, the votes in favour of the reforms numbered 941, with 103 against and 9 abstentions,” said Chong at the end of the one-day special meeting which was held at the Selangor International Islamic University in Bangi.
Among the key amendments are:
- Direct elections for divisional and central leadership positions.
- Change of terminology for divisions and branches (from ‘bahagian’ to ‘cabang’, and ‘cawangan’ to ‘ranting’).
- Implementation of a policy of 30 percent involvement of women in all levels of the party’s leadership.
- Reduction of the age limit of the Youth wing to 35.
Chong said that the delegates voted in favour of all the amendments “en bloc”.
Existing Youth leaders may lose out
Malaysiakini has learnt that several delegates spoke out strongly against a number of the proposed amendments during the closed-door debate.
Negeri Sembilan delegate Nordin Ismail argued that changing the terms from ‘bahagian’ (division) to 'cabang' and from ‘cawangan’ to 'ranting' (branch) were not exactly "progressive".
He instead proposed that those terms should be changed to ‘zone’ and ‘area’ (kawasan) respectively. Nordin’s suggestion was said to be well-received by the delegates.
Another delegate argued that the age limit of the Youth wing should be put off as the time was not right for such a radical change.
There are fears that many top Youth leaders will lose out as a result of the amendment as they will be above the new age limit.
What the delegates say
Marlina Abdullah, 47, Setiawangsa, Federal Territory
I agree with the amendments. Every member can have a say in electing the party’s leader. We also agree with the 30 percent leadership positions for women. After all, women play a strong role in the party as well.
As for the youth wing, I feel some people who are between 35-40 who are still with the youth wing may find the amendments a little difficult.
Abdul Hamid Ali, 58, Larut, Perak
These amendments are good. It does make the party more liberal and democratic. Also anyone can vote for the top leadership.
The 30 percent leadership positions for women is also a good thing.
Shaharudin Tanip, 63, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
These changes are good as they will propel the party even further. If we just have the branch leaders elect the top leadership, you may get different factions here and there. But if everyone can vote, it will help curb money politics, as it will be difficult to buy everyone’s votes.
Furthermore, grassroot members know who does the job and who does not (in the top leadership)
G Muniandy, 41, Gerik, Perak
These changes are good. I don’t think there will be displeasure in the youth wing with regards to the lowering of the age from 40 to 35. If they put the party’s interest first, there should be no problems.
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