CYBERJAYA: It is too early to conclude that the “reformasi” movement championed by PKR for the past 25 years has died out, says a party leader.
PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang said this was despite recent events involving deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s conditional discharge in his Yayasan Akalbudi trial.
He urged party members and supporters to continue the struggle because the government still had many items that were pending on its reform agenda.
“This government is still young, so there are things that have not been implemented.
“Please give us some time and then the people can assess (our performance) after the end of one term,” the science, technology and innovation minister said in a media session after the closing ceremony of Cyberview Innoex 2023 at Rekascape in Cyberjaya.
On Monday, Zahid was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on 47 charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and money laundering in his Yayasan Akalbudi case at the request of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
The move drew criticism across the board, including from former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who claimed that PKR’s “reformasi” and anti-corruption spirit has died out following the ruling by the court.
When asked to comment on whether Zahid’s DNAA would affect Chinese voters’ support for Pakatan Harapan in today’s Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections, Chang succinctly said it would only be known once the polling is completed.
“We will find out today,” he said.