PKR denies being in financial quandary

The party's secretary-general stresses that the eviction issue concerns the building's landlord and not PKR's coffers.

PETALING JAYA: PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution denied allegations that the party is in a financial quandary as the opposition lynchpin faces eviction from its current headquarters.

The Machang MP maintained that the core problem with the eviction is the building’s landlord as the party has been prompt in paying rent.

“We are not in any financial problem. It is the owner who has a problem with the bank as we have been paying rent without fail,” he told FMT.

PKR is facing possible eviction from their headquarters located in upmarket Merchant Square Tropicana here after the building owner failed to service the bank loan.

According to news reports, a bank auction notice has been put up near the Merchant Square premises, and the auction price of the building is estimated to be between RM460,000 to RM1 million per unit. The auction is slated for June 9.

It is learnt that PKR is paying close to RM20,000 monthly to a company called Ainb-Tech Sdn Bhd to rent the premises. The PKR headquarters takes up eight floors.

Some party leaders like vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and former deputy president, Syed Hussin Syed Ali, have questioned the timing of the auction, hinting at a possible government conspiracy to harass PKR by whatever means.

BN conspiracy?

PKR is currently locked in a legal battle with the Registrar of Societies (ROS). PKR has been accused of breaching the party constitution when it sacked a member without valid reasons and is facing the prospect of de-registration. June 9 is the date of hearing for the case.

“PKR may have to relocate, the building we are renting will be auctioned. ROS sent a letter to shut down the party. Enforcement dates for both are on June 9. Coincidence?” said Syed Husin on his Twitter posting.

Saifuddin, however, refused to be drawn into the speculation and insisted that the eviction mess is limited to the problem between the bank and the landlord.

“Of course when the building owners face this problem, the tenant will be the one feeling the impact,” he said.

The PKR secretary-general said the party has a “Plan B” and reiterated treasurer-general William Leong’s statement yesterday that the party is also considering relocating.

“In the worst case scenario, we relocate. It’s not a problem,” said Saifuddin.

Leong said yesterday that PKR is now planning to buy the premises when the bank auctions it next month.

Another option is for the party to rent its current premises from the new owners.

PKR has changed its headquarters several times, from Phileo Damansara to Shah Alam and then in 2008, from Brickfields to the current site.