PKR reshuffles state leadership amid talk of prominent leader's axing

PKR has reshuffled its state leadership amid claims that party president Anwar Ibrahim is under pressure to remove a prominent state chapter head.

The heads and deputies of PKR chapters for Sabah, Pahang, Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and the Federal Territories have been changed, party information chief Fahmi Fadzil said.

“PKR’s central leadership council held a meeting today, during which humanitarian issues and the war in Gaza were discussed, as well as the firmness of the prime minister (Anwar) and the party’s stance on peace efforts, which is now being given full attention by the international community,” Fahmi said in a statement.

On May 24, an anonymous source told Free Malaysia Today that a state PKR chapter head had caused dissatisfaction among the party’s division leaders.

The source, a PKR leader, claimed that Anwar had recently met with division leaders of every state, including those from a particular state who raised concerns about their chairperson.

“Some may not have been as vocal about their concerns in the meeting but later expressed greater dissatisfaction in the state leadership’s WhatsApp group chat.

“The party president has already said he was looking at restructuring the leadership of several states after getting feedback from all division leaders,” the source was quoted as saying.

Fahmi’s statement listed out the names of the new heads.

New heads

Sabah will be headed by Sepanggar MP Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Bin Sakmud along with deputy Peto Galim, who is Inanam assemblyperson. The former Sabah chief, Sangkar Rasam, has been appointed to the central leadership council.

Pahang’s new head is Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh and her deputy is Lipis’ Rizal Jamin. Fuziah takes over from party vice-president Amirudin Shari, though Amirudin will continue to lead the Selangor chapter.

In Johor, Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh will head the state chapter and his deputy will be Bakri’s Md Ysahrudin Kusni. PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli previously headed the state chapter.

Kelantan’s new head is Tanah Merah’s Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor and its deputy is Pasir Puteh’s Shamsudin Ghani.

Terengganu’s new head is Kemaman’s Ahmad Nazri Mohd Yusof, whose deputy is Besut’s Mohasdjone @ Mohd Johari Mohd. 

Vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was relieved of his position as both Kelantan and Terengganu PKR chief.

Anwar’s aide Azman Abidin will head the Federal Territories chapter while Kepong’s Jayakumar R Muniandy will serve as his deputy.

The Federal Territories chapter, like Johor, was previously headed by Rafizi.

Elsewhere, the Sarawak chapter continues to be led by Baram’s Roland Engan but his new deputy is Santubong’s Ahmad Nazib Johari, who replaces Abun Sui.

Fahmi added that the party meeting saw PKR preparing for the upcoming Sungai Bakap by-election.

“The prime minister also briefed us on current issues including the national address and government policies.

“He called for PKR members and supporters to mobilise their energy and ideas to continue to drive the Madani government agenda,” he said. - Mkini