Much to the chagrin of the state leadership, a Penang PKR Youth leader has openly opposed the possibility of suspended Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan joining the party.

sim tze tsim State Youth vice-chairperson Sim Tze Tzin disagreed with Barisan Nasional 'rejects' using PKR as a bait to bargain for their political survival.

Citing Umno's Seberang Jaya assemblyperson Arif Shah Omar Shah and MCA's deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek as examples, he said the duo had utilised PKR as platforms when the going was tough in their respective parties.

He accused embattled BN representatives of using PKR as the bargaining weapon to issue quit threats to their parties in order to regain and reposition their political relevance.

"These people, including Huan, are taking an opportunistic approach to threaten their parties," said Sim, the Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson.

Interestingly, Sim's stand runs in sharp contrast to that of state PKR chief Zahrain Hashim and Youth leader Yusmaidi Yusoff.

Zahrain has said that Huan would be a valuable addition to the party since he could pull in a large chunk of Gerakan members to PKR.

Gerakan insiders have indicated that the party would be decimated at the grassroots level if Huan was to exit with his army of supporters.

Meanwhile, Yusmaidi said Huan's experience in political administration would be an advantage for PKR and Pakatan Rakyat.

No political principles

However, Sim accused Huan of not having political principles.

gerakan vice president huan cheng guan "He had never indicated his intention to join PKR to fight for justice, human rights and democracy. He threatened to leave just because he lost his position and influence in his party.

"Moreover, his track record falls short of any substantial effort in improving democracy, rule of law and idealism to fight for social justice," he said.

Sim said the party would welcome any Malaysians with similar idealism and conviction, but claimed that PKR grassroots despised BN opportunists and strongly urged the party leadership to reject Huan.

He said grassroots members have openly disapproved Huan's intention in various meetings.

According to Sim, they have sent numerous text messages urging party leaders to take a strong stand to prevent him from joining the party.

"The youth wing had decided to stand up to this call to oppose Huan from joining the party.

"He has no moral high ground to join the party and would gravely affect PKR's standing and image as a progressive reformist party," said Sim.

He said PKR needed more youths with compatible idealism and energy to bring in changes and fight for democracy, social justice, rule of law for a better Malaysia.

He added that the last thing PKR needed was "opportunists to derail the party effort to bring new dawn to the nation."