Updated 7.30pm, 28 Nov 2008
SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov 2008: Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) does not want to be left out by the main body of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), says AMK chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
He urged the party leaders to include the youth wing in the parent body’s plans.
“AMK wants party members, including those from AMK, to be given equal opportunities and not be sidelined based on all sorts of excuses.
“Make objective decisions. If qualified, give (us) the opportunity. If training is needed, then provide training. Don’t keep giving us the excuse that (we are) inexperienced,” he said in his speech at the fourth AMK national congress.
Shamsul then warned the Pakatan Rakyat state government not to be involved in corrupt practices or the misuse of public funds.
He said if they did so, there would definitely be another round of reform made by the rakyat in the future.
“There is no reason for the people to choose us if we are just the same as Barisan Nasional.
“The people wanted change and thus they rejected those who tried to stop them,” said Shamsul.
Later, while debating Shamsul’s speech, several delegates made a point of reminding Pakatan Rakyat’s elected representatives not to neglect their constituents or risk alienating voters.
Angkatan Muda Keadilan delegate Ahmad Azrizal Tahir said there had been complaints from the voters that they hardly saw their Pakatan Rakyat’s representatives.
He added that there would not be 11 representatives from the youth wing if it were not because of the support and campaigning by the AMK members.
“I can understand if the wakil rakyat had to learn the ropes in the first three months and they hardly went to the ground.
“But it has been eight months now and there must not be any more excuses,” Ahmad Azrizal, who is from Penang, said.
Later in the adjournment speech, AMK information chief S Kesavan said he agreed that elected representatives must not neglect their voters.
“I agree that those representatives who do not perform should not be fielded as candidates in the next general election.
“This is because if they do not do their work, it will affect the party in the long term,” said Kesavan, who is also state assemblyperson for Hutan Melintang in Perak. 
