PKR leaders today brushed aside claims made by a former state level party leader that the party was losing support in the run up to the general election.

Responding to the claims made by the ex-Baling division chief Radzi Md Lazim, party secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim said: "That's his view. We cannot do anything about it".

"To me, it is not a very important news to Parti Keadilan. It does not represent the view of 80,000 members," he told malaysiakini.

Yesterday, speaking to malaysiakini, Radzi lamented that the party's top leadership was distancing itself from the grassroots leaders, in preference for high-profile and wealthy individuals.

He said that the top leadership was sidelining those at the divisional level who have been part of the party's struggle since its inception in 1999, as a result losing support in the ground.

Radzi cited Khalid's candidacy in the recent Ijok by-election as a glaring example of the top leadership's preference for people from the corporate sector.

Radzi claimed that PKR divisions in Kedah were disillusioned over this and were "just waiting" to be dissolved.

Khalid however denied such claims, adding that Radzi's resignation will not affect the party's preparation for the general election which is believed to be held soon.

Use proper channel

The former corporate figure also chided Radzi for not adhering to proper party channels in raising the issue.

"He has every right to discuss (the matter) at the division level and through the political bureau" he said.

PKR Information Chief Tian Chua also brushed off Radzi's allegations.

"I don't think that he is someone I need to comment on. He cannot represent the voters of Malaysia. Nobody has the right," he said.

Tian Chua also said that Khalid's candidacy for the Ijok by-election was not an issue at all.

"I don't think we need to respond seriously. Khalid was chosen because he was born there, not because he came from a corporate background," he said.

New division chief

Khalid also defended his candidacy in Ijok, saying that it was a unanimous decision of the party to field him.

He added that the choice of candidate to stand in Ijok was deliberated for two weeks before the final decision was made.

"To my corporate mind, it was quite a lengthy process" he said.

In the April 28 contest for the Selangor state seat, Khalid was defeated by Barisan Nasional candidate K Parthiban with a 1,850 vote majority.

Khalid also clarified that the Baling PKR division was not deregistered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for failing to hold its meetings, as opposed to what was claimed by PKR Kedah liaison chief Johari Abdul yesterday.

The party secretary general said that the party had not identified a new Baling chief.

"We first have to get the views from the state leadership," he said.