Former PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim has confirmed speculation that more members are lining up to leap off the deck of the troubled opposition party.

salehuddin hashim interview 110408 neutral “It may be more than 10. You take the total number (of representatives) minus the socialists, the NGO liberals and the cronies, (and) do the math,” he said cryptically today.

“But they won’t all jump at once, they will come in ones and twos. As in boxing, there are combinations to this.”

Pressured for details, he steadfastly refused to reveal names or the exact number, saying instead all will be revealed in time.

He was speaking to reporters during a press conference morning by PKR’s Nibong Tebal parliamentarian Tan Tee Beng, to announce his resignation from the party to turn Independent.

Salehuddin also revealed that there is a movement within the party towards forming an “independent bloc” which is tired of polemics, but does not necessarily support BN.

"You are all aware that there are developments in PAS and DAP towards this (bloc). The same may also be developing in PKR."

Salehuddin confirmed his own resignation from the party, saying he will leave in two weeks.

"We must do things properly. I am a guy who goes by the book," he said.

The buzz surrounding his resignation started last October. He initially denied this and Malaysiakini’s report on the matter was criticised by those in PKR.

 

'Opportunists' in PKR

Salehuddin hinted at the reasons behind the apparent rift in PKR.

“We are the original activists started the entire movement. Who are these young turks who suddenly appear and try to take charge and push their human rights agenda and what not? Where were they in 1999?”

He was underlining the grouses against the newly tacked-on supporters who Salehuddin described as opportunists who have hijacked the party for their own agenda.

Salehuddin said he has been advising several disgruntled PKR members who are all his friends but denied mastermining defections.

Twice now, Salehuddin has been a silent presence while PKR elected representatives revealed their resignation from the party.

zahrain mohamad hashim Early last month, Salehuddin was at a press conference called by Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim (left) to announce he had left PKR .

At the time, Salehuddin said nothing except he was there “in support of a friend”.

Speculation also surrounds the future of Bandar Bahru Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin, who is facing a disciplinary hearing. However, he has said that he currently has no intention to resign.