PKR division chief apologises for open house 'misunderstanding'

GEORGE TOWN: The Permatang Pauh PKR division has apologised over a misunderstanding that caused journalists to be apparently chased away during the party's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event at Guar Perahu on Sunday.
Its chief, Amir Ghazali, said the misunderstanding occurred due to government protocol, resulting in journalists being prevented from asking questions to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was at the function with his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the Deputy Prime Minister.
"Compared to last time where we were the opposition and now as the current government, of course there is a different way in handling the event, especially with the deputy prime minister, there is a need for certain protocols that we have never experienced before.
"I, on behalf of the Permatang Pauh PKR division and the security unit responsible for the parliamentary constituency take full responsibility over the misunderstanding during the incident which should not have happened to all journalists who were there and I will ensure that it will never ever happen again," he said in a Facebook posting today.
During the event, a seasoned journalist from an online portal blasted both Wan Azizah and her husband Anwar for their "unfriendly" behaviour during the open house event.
It was reported that Anwar answered one question from the reporter, while others were prevented from asking further questions.
The journalist said the couple's bodyguards pushed members of the media while whisking both Anwar and Wan Azizah away from journalists.
A press conference scheduled after the event was also cancelled.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook posting, lawyer Syahredzan Johan said that ministers and Pakatan Harapan representatives should listen to the concerns raised by journalists about bureaucracy and their access.