Aminuddin accepts responsibility for PKR’s Negeri Sembilan polls defeat

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim described vice-president Aminuddin Harun as a close friend. (Bernama pic)HANG TUAH JAYA: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim says vice-president Aminuddin Harun's services are still needed by the party despite Pakatan Harapan's (PH) defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election earlier this month.Following the defeat, Aminuddin faced calls from six PKR divisions in Negeri Sembilan to step down as the state's party chief.Describing Aminuddin as a close friend, Anwar said the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar's experience could still be put to good use, particularly in mentoring the party's younger leaders and strengthening PKR."We cannot satisfy everyone... But my respect and admiration for him has grown even greater," he said while delivering his winding-up speech at PKR’s congress here.Anwar also praised Aminuddin for accepting PH's defeat in the Negeri Sembilan election with magnanimity and without blaming anyone, which he said should serve as an example for party members.In his own winding-up speech, Aminuddin had taken responsibility for PKR's and PH's defeat in the Negeri Sembilan election on Aug 1.The election saw Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) win 25 of the 36 seats, wresting control of the state from PH.Aminuddin also lost the Linggi state seat.PKR won only two of the 16 seats it contested.

DAP won nine of the 11 seats it contested, while Amanah failed to win any seat. Negeri Sembilan PKR chief Aminuddin Harun said he had no intention of shirking his responsibilities or pointing fingers at anyone. (Bernama pic) HANG TUAH JAYA: Negeri Sembilan PKR chief Aminuddin Harun today said he took responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Aug 1 state election, following calls for him to resign over the loss.

Speaking at the party's national congress here, Aminuddin, fondly known as “Tok Min”, said that he agrees with the calls by six Negeri Sembilan PKR divisions for him to step down as state chapter chief. "I led (the team), and so I am prepared to take responsibility. I do not want to run away from my responsibilities, nor do I want to point fingers at anyone.

Were there weaknesses in the leadership? Aminuddin, a former two-term Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, also apologised for his shortcomings and weaknesses while serving as the state chapter chief. "I am ready to accept any decision made by the party leadership.

The position does not belong to me, it belongs to the party." In the Negeri Sembilan polls, PKR won only two of the 16 seats it contested. Fellow Pakatan Harapan component party DAP won nine of the 11 seats it contested, while Amanah failed to win any. Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional won a total 25 seats and formed the state government.

Aminuddin said the defeat must be the starting point to rebuild the party’s state chapter, beginning with efforts to improve and refine its strategies and machinery. "If the party sees that a decision needs to be made about its future, I will respect it," he added. "If we need to go back to the grassroots, we will do so.