War of words continues, PKR Youth sec insists duo’s sacking legitimate

PKR Youth secretary Ahmad Syukri Razab says members should close ranks and work towards realising the reform agenda. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The war of words between two factions in PKR Youth continued, with the youth wing’s secretary Ahmad Syukri Razab criticising deputy youth chief Muhammad Hilman Idham for insisting that Mizan Adli Mohd Noor remain the permanent chairman.

Syukri accused Hilman of distracting attention from “the abnormal vote count” for the positions of permanent chairman and deputy chairman, maintaining that there were suspicions over the total votes.

“Whatever cheap sentiments the deputy youth chief is trying to play does not deny the fact that there really were doubts in the electoral process,” he said in a statement today.

Syukri also said Hilman failed to understand the party’s constitution when he said those holding positions in the youth wing must remain until the end of their terms, regardless of whether they exceeded the age limit.

He said this only applied to those who were below 35 by Dec 31 of the year of election, highlighting that Mizan and his deputy, Mohd Ramly Ahmad, were already 35 and 38, respectively, at the time.

“For example, I was elected PKR Youth secretary when I was 34 and was to hold the position for three years.

“The position remains mine although I have now passed the age limit,” he said.

He said Hilman was “spitting in the wind” when he criticised the youth wing’s leadership for being weak, adding that Hilman was also a part of the leadership.

“Maybe the deputy youth chief missed out on many issues because he only attended the PKR Youth central leadership meeting once,” he said.

Syukri called on PKR Youth members to close ranks to focus and work towards realising the reform agenda.

Earlier today, Hilman insisted that Mizan should remain the permanent chairman, a day after PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir defended the move to sack him.

Urging the party leadership to retract the termination letter to Mizan and Ramly, he said the move contravened the party’s constitution as well as the regulations of the wing.

The duo have criticised their sacking, saying it was unofficial and made without solid ground.

It came amid a tussle between two factions in PKR, with one supporting party president Anwar Ibrahim and the other his deputy, Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The rift has resulted in disputes, including over who is to open the youth wing’s congress and the recent Sarawak PKR convention, which took place despite state chief Baru Bian insisting it should be cancelled. - FMT