
The real questions in PKR polls
Wider meaning: Ordinary citizens have no say in party polls but we surely follow them with great interest as the outcome does have a broader implication for our lives. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
WHEN elections come around, it's only natural that the media focus on the heat and emotions generated from the campaigns.
The campaigning for the PKR polls that is entering its final lap is no exception. After all, it is the personality clashes and factionalism, real or imagined, that 'sell' the news stories. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang, and has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. On The Beat made its debut on Feb 23 1997 and Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for the occasional press holiday when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star. https://twitter.com/chunwai09
https://twitter.com/chunwai09 http://www.wongchunwai.com/

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar hopes Rafizi, Nik Nazmi, reconsider decision to quit Cabinet
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had only approved the leave of two ministers at this time. PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he hopes the two ministers who recently submitted their resignation letters will reconsider their decisions. In a Bernama report, Anwar said while he had received the leave applications and resignation letters from the duo, he had only approved their applications to go on leave. '…Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they remain in the Cabinet,' he said. On May 28, economy minister Rafizi Ramli and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad submitted their resignation letters. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) then issued a statement acknowledging their resignation letters but did not state if their resignations had been accepted. 'Any further decision on the matter will be informed later by the prime minister,' the statement read. Rafizi is on leave until June 16 while Nik Nazmi's leave ends on July 3. Nik Nazmi, a two-term MP, failed to defend his position as PKR vice-president at the party's divisional polls. He was Rafizi's running mate. Rafizi lost the PKR deputy president's post to Nurul Izzah Anwar. Anwar was speaking to reporters after attending an empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders in Melaka today. During the seminar, Anwar, who is also PKR president, called on party members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following its polls last month. He also stressed the need for unity and maturity in pursuit of the party's greater mission. 'Imagine this – I can work with Umno, even hugging it out,' he said. 'Surely we can move past our internal disagreements, too. Let's move on to the bigger agenda.'


The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Govt bears almost half a million Ringgit in cost for Tun Mahathir's trip to Nikkei Conference
MELAKA: The government bears almost half a million ringgit in cost for former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Japan to attend the annual Nikkei conference last month, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the government allocated approximately RM486,000 for the visit after receiving a formal application from Tun Dr Mahathir. 'There are existing provisions for former prime ministers to apply (for government support for official travel)...and if the sitting prime minister approves, the government will bear the cost, including for Tun Mahathir, who recently requested to attend the Nikkei conference in Japan. He applied, and I approved. I believe the delegation was around seven people. 'I have people asking me why pay for him. He is entitled to apply, but the decision rests with the sitting prime I decided to approve that RM486,000 for him to go to Japan. 'I just don't want anyone to misunderstand...I just don't want to take a negative attitude. Despite his daily criticisms of the government, we still approved his (travel) application,' Anwar told reporters here today. On May 30, Tun Dr Mahathir was reported to have attended and delivered a speech at the annual Nikkei Future of Asia conference, a platform he has regularly attended over the years. On separate development, Anwar said he is giving time to two Cabinet ministers who recently submitted resignation letters, encouraging them to reconsider their decisions. The Prime Minister said he received the letters from the two ministers applying for leave and resignation, but he had only approved the leave for now. '...Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they rejoin the Cabinet,' he said. The ministers in question - Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad - reportedly submitted their resignations following defeats in recent party elections. The Prime Minister was met after attending an organisational empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders here today. Also present were two PKR vice-presidents - Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan -, secretary-general Senator Fuziah Salleh, Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek, Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim and Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. During the seminar, Anwar called on PKR members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following the party polls last month. He also stressed the need for unity and maturity for the party's greater mission. 'Imagine this - I can work with UMNO, even hugging it out. Surely we can move past our internal disagreements too. Let's move on for the bigger agenda,' he added.


The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Govt bears cost for Tun Mahathir's trip to Nikkei Conference
MELAKA: The government bears almost half a million ringgit in cost for former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Japan to attend the annual Nikkei conference last month, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the government allocated approximately RM486,000 for the visit after receiving a formal application from Tun Dr Mahathir. 'There are existing provisions for former prime ministers to apply (for government support for official travel)...and if the sitting prime minister approves, the government will bear the cost, including for Tun Mahathir, who recently requested to attend the Nikkei conference in Japan. He applied, and I approved. I believe the delegation was around seven people. 'I have people asking me why pay for him. He is entitled to apply, but the decision rests with the sitting prime I decided to approve that RM486,000 for him to go to Japan. 'I just don't want anyone to misunderstand...I just don't want to take a negative attitude. Despite his daily criticisms of the government, we still approved his (travel) application,' Anwar told reporters here today. On May 30, Tun Dr Mahathir was reported to have attended and delivered a speech at the annual Nikkei Future of Asia conference, a platform he has regularly attended over the years. On separate development, Anwar said he is giving time to two Cabinet ministers who recently submitted resignation letters, encouraging them to reconsider their decisions. The Prime Minister said he received the letters from the two ministers applying for leave and resignation, but he had only approved the leave for now. '...Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they rejoin the Cabinet,' he said. The ministers in question - Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad - reportedly submitted their resignations following defeats in recent party elections. The Prime Minister was met after attending an organisational empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders here today. Also present were two PKR vice-presidents - Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan -, secretary-general Senator Fuziah Salleh, Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek, Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim and Hang Tuah Jaya division chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. During the seminar, Anwar called on PKR members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following the party polls last month. He also stressed the need for unity and maturity for the party's greater mission. 'Imagine this - I can work with UMNO, even hugging it out. Surely we can move past our internal disagreements too. Let's move on for the bigger agenda,' he added.