Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim recently announced that he is leaving Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). This piece of news had caused mixed reactions among his peers.

While PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is reportedly very upset at Zahrain’s decision and was seen crying into his hanky, the reactions of others are more calm.

PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali shares none of Anwar’s sentiments and actually felt relieved that the little man has left. He said Zahrain had finally done something good for the party – by leaving it.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said Zahrain’s departure was not a loss to Pakatan Rakyat. “He is not a giant of a politician, more like a dwarf. He should join a group that fits his stature.”

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak agreed and said he was not surprised that Zahrain could not play the game anymore and wanted out. “It is hard for the little Zahrain to survive in the political arena, which is why Malaysia needs big and bold people!”

Not all were negative reactions as former PKR youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor heaped praise on Zahrain. Describing Zahrain as a matured man with sharp observation skills, Ezam praised Zahrain for his honesty and courage in facing his own limits. He believed that Zahrain finally saw that he had overstretched and decided that quitting the party was the best option.