PETALING JAYA: Dec 27, 2008 By G. MANIMARAN
The year 2008, which was full off political fireworks, is expected to end with another big bang — with an MP from PKR quitting the party by New Year’s Day.
The representative from Kapar, S. Manikavasagam, told mStar Online that he was quitting because he was disappointed with the attitude of Selangor PKR leaders, who he claimed had neglected the needs of the people.
He also cited in-fighting among the state leaders as a reason.
He is expected to make the official announcement before Wednesday.
“I have made up my mind and it’s final. I’m not joking and I’m very serious this time,” said Manikavasagam, 43.
“This decision is indeed a firm action and it will be my New Year ‘gift’ to the party,” he said.
He had expressed his intention to do so a few days ago, saying that it was what certain quarters had wished for.
“This time around, I’m taking firm action,” he said.
Manikavasagam is also a member of PKR’s supreme council and one of its Selangor liaison deputy chairmen.
The first-term MP won the Kapar seat on March 8, defeating the incumbent, MIC Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Komala Devi Perumal .
Manikavasagam, one of the most vocal leaders in PKR, admitted that he had expressed his intention to leave the party and to resign but was dissuaded a few times by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“This time around, I’ve made up my mind and I won’t forewarn them about it. I won’t tell them anything as I’m very sure of my decision,” he said.
Two days ago, Manikavasagam expressed his wish to leave PKR to become an independent MP as he was disappointed with the attitude of Selangor PKR leaders.
According to Manikavasagam, PKR leaders in Selangor were not united and cold towards each other whereas a few others were arrogant and unwilling to come together to resolve issues.
Manikavasagam added that he was already disappointed by the party’s development since early this year.
“I am very disappointed. My voters know that I’ve been serving them and I don’t want to be cheated again after 50 years,” he said.
Manikavasagam explained that not only did he not get support from PKR leaders themselves, but PKR state assemblymen were also threatened and criticised by leaders of Pakatan Rakyat component parties.
He added that he had not received support from other PKR leaders when faced with criticism from other state assemblymen.
Manikavasagam had been accused by a fellow PKR leader of acting like the opposition.
He had also been called a liar for his involvement in the protest against the move of the Klang bus and taxi station to a new location at Klang Sentral in Kapar.
Two months ago, Manikavasagam also threatened to resign from his state liaison post if the issue of the demolished temple by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council was not resolved.
In a meeting with mStar Online, he said he also received SMSes from PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, who had among others said that Manikavasagam had often bad-mouthed the party through the media.
Syed Husin, who is also the PKR’s disciplinary board chairman, had advised Manikavasagam to refrain from doing so.
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