(Kuala Lumpur, 16th) PKR Vice President Datuk Seri Zaliha reminded party members that having dissenting opinions does not mean one can undermine the organization, and further warned against allowing a culture where “holding a party position automatically entitles you to be a candidate.”
She said that everyone can have different views, but don’t burn the whole house down just because of a small issue, and don’t let traitors like “Si Kitol” from the Malacca Sultanate era emerge within the party.
She stated that criticizing and correcting is not the same as betrayal, but sabotage is certainly not a form of struggle.
She said that when it comes to candidate selection for elections, there should not be a culture that assumes holding a certain position automatically grants the right to be a candidate.
She noted that the branch chairperson might be the best candidate, but others could also be the best candidate. What the party truly seeks is a candidate most capable of leading, winning the trust of the people, and able to win.
She agreed with some delegates’ suggestions to determine candidates earlier and start work sooner, but it should not create the impression that if someone is named early, they automatically have absolute candidate status.
She believes that before deciding on candidates, everyone can campaign and be selected, but once a decision is made, it must be accepted.
“If the candidate we support is not selected, don’t boycott, put on the brakes, or hope for our own party’s candidate to lose just so you can say later: 'See, I told you so.'”
She said, if you would rather see your own party’s candidate lose just to prove you were right, is it truly defending ideals or just personal pride and ego?