By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — PKR political bureau member Tian Chua today shifted the blame to the media over various “confusing reports” on the party leadership.
Last night, PKR secretary-general Datuk Sallehuddin Hashim was reported to have resigned from the post, but he later issued a statement denying the report.
"We have clarified to Malaysiakini and we are sending a strong protest to Malaysiakini," Tian (picture) told reporters in Parliament.
"There is a concerted effort in the media, not by the media but by certain forces continuously creating and confusing news on the so-called internal problems of Pakatan Rakyat," said the PKR strategic director.
Tian said that the move was to divert attention from national issues.
"My best guess is that it is to divert attention from the main issues that are happening in the country," he said.
"As a result, we are not debating issues like the Budget and urgent measures to save the economy. And corruption issues suddenly fall to the bottom of the headlines," added Tian.
Sallehuddin was reported to have clashed with de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over a few party appointments, which he feels have been made not based on merit but on how close the person is to Anwar.
Sallehuddin was also initially tasked with laying the groundwork for PKR in Sarawak, one of two east Malaysian states which make up 25 per cent of the parliamentary seats and a traditionally safe vote bank for Barisan National (BN).
Yesterday, PKR was also rocked by the resignation of vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, but Tian downplayed the report saying that the party has not heard anything from the Sabah leader.
"We have not heard anything from Jeffrey," said Tian.
Kitingan and his supporters were said to be unhappy with the appointment of Ahmad Thamrin Jai as the Sabah PKR chief as the Kadazan leader commands the support of the majority of the party divisions in the state.
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