Abdul Rahim Sabri
Jun 19, 11
2:50pm
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim challenged PKR Youth (AMK) to be at the frontlines of the reform movement towards the 13th general election.
He also called for AMK to work as hard as they can and to organise the wing so as to face BN with as much confidence in the upcoming polls.
“We need to change. Those who are not resolved (on the need for change), go sit at the back. It’s only those with certainty who should be in the frontlines.
“In the frontlines. Those less convinced, go to the back,” he stressed.
According to the Opposition leader, the condition for only ‘convinced’ PKR Youth members to be at the frontlines of the struggle applied at both state and national levels.
For that reason, said Anwar, AMK chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin should scrutinise the wing’s leadership at all levels to make sure those who are capable be placed at the centre of the frontline.
“Those PKR Youth who have the reoslve, we will give them a central role. Those less convinced, arrange yourselves in the back rows,” he told about 1,000 AMK delegates in Shah Alam last night.
“Do it now. Tell Shamsul Iskandar (now)!” he asserted, to laugher from the AMK rank and file.
He said this at a meet-the-youth session in the Jubli Perak Hall of the Selangor state secretariat building, where he chided those AMK members who had a tendency to “whine and complain” when in disagreement with him or the wing’s divisional heads over party matters.
Without naming anybody, Anwar said such persons “do not know the meaning of the struggle”.
“Don’t fight among yourselves, for we need every bit of energy despite the differences we may have with each other. It would be difficult to defend ourselves if we are disunited.
“This party is one group, and we struggle as one group. This is our agenda. There is a time to compete within the party, and a time to fight in the ring (with others),” he said.
“Now is the time to get in the ring and fight Umno and BN,” he asserted.
Anwar also said AMK should prepare for the turbulence and trials of the impending struggle for reform, whether that comes in the form of detention, prison or court cases.
He also urged, however, that the AMK membership be certain that the people are with Pakatan Rakyat in its efforts to topple and BN and their efforts to spread slander and to incite towards greater communal tensions.
He also reminded Youth members not to be “fooled and misled” away from fighting for the wellbeing and future of the people.
On the Bersih 2.0 rally planned for July 9, Anwar – who is also Permatang Pauh member of parliament – urged all quarters to take part.
The call of that movement is not the same as the shrieks of Umno Youth, who have also vowed to take part in a rally in support of the current electoral system on the same day as Bersih.
“We struggle for principles, not merely for the thrills,” he said.
Anwar also advised AMK to go down to the ground and organise activities to ensure Pakatan Rakyat to take over Putrajaya and turn Umno into an opposition party at the national level.
Shamsul Iskandar, meanwhile, received Anwar’s call for AMK to embrace wholeheartedly the struggle for reform.
“I accept the challenge by Anwar Ibrahim. And I know you all have signalled your readiness for change.
“We are checking as to who (and) from which state are not in attendance today. We will check with division representatives are not here.
“I have the full list from Perlis to Sabah. From which division, we will check carefully.
For the upcoming general election, Shamsul said he vows to propose to the PKR national leadership that AMK members be chosen as candidates t contest the polls.
For that purpose, AMK members should work hard to ensure that the nation has representatives from the younger generations.
Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin 