Anwar wants Toh Kin Woon to be PKR adviser

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — Wasting no time, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has offered an advisory role to former Gerakan leader Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon less than 24 hours after he resigned from the party.

At a press conference in Permatang Pauh today, where the PKR leader is campaigning for the Aug 26 by-election, Anwar asked the ex-Gerakan central committee and Penang state exco member to advise the party on good governance.

"I need time to consider it. I'm not even sure I am qualified," Toh told The Malaysian Insider in a phone interview, and said that he was surprised by the offer. Toh had been in Permatang Pauh to support the PKR campaign and was present today with fellow lobbyists concerned with Chinese vernacular education.

When asked why the press conference was held, he explained that the group had agreed to the pre-arranged event but had no idea that an actual press conference would be held, believing it to be a "photo opportunity" only.

At the press conference, Toh denied that his show of support for PKR was a betrayal of Gerakan since he had resigned from the party and would not be joining PKR or any other party.

He said that he supported Anwar's by-election campaign as PKR's ideals were similar to the founding principles of Gerakan.

"I am, in a sense, continuing with the ideals of Gerakan, only on a different platform."

He said that he would not hesitate to criticise the de facto opposition leader should he fail to hold on to these these principles in the future.

Toh had resigned from Gerakan yesterday citing a desire to focus on NGO work. This came after he had openly declared his support for Anwar's candidacy and earlier in the year, had suggested that Gerakan consider leaving BN.

-TMI